VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State volleyball team is scheduled to kick off its 2024 preseason on Wednesday with two-a-day practices at 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in The Complex.
 
The Blazers return a strong core from last season's 19-14 team that finished 10-6 in Gulf South Conference play. VSU head coach Kaleigh Zoucha begins her seventh season at the helm of the program as she is 75-99 at Valdosta State. Over her tenure as the head of the Blazers, she has seen five teams reach the Gulf South Conference Postseason tournament including 2021's GSC Spring Championship series.
 
At the core of the returners in 2024 are seven headlining seniors, including the top three attackers in seniors Mackenzie Murray, Jojo Smith and Christian Pettigrew as well as the assist-leading setter Audrey Bennett. The trio combined for 937 kills and 47 aces in 2023, while Bennett recorded 963 of the team's 1349 total assists. In addition, senior Kaia Baker racked up a team-high 450 digs last year after sliding over to libero later in the season. Other senior returners include Ah'Miah Harris and Kennedy Hairston who look to make an impact in the 2024 season.
 
Pettigrew and Bennett were each earned to GSC All-Conference team honors in 2023 with Pettigrew being named to the first team while Bennett was named to the second team. 2023 marked the first time the Blazers have had multiple all-conference selections under Zoucha and the first time since 2015 the program had featured multiple all-conference honorees. Pettigrew led the way for the Blazers in blocks with 114 total rejections, 24 of which were recorded as solo blocks. She also tallied 286 kills on 670 swings (.307) with 26 aces. Meanwhile, Bennett totaled 122 kills with 19 service aces along with her 963 assists which are the most by a single Blazer since 2021.
 
Along with the seven returning seniors, Zoucha welcomes back a couple of other key returners including juniors Katie Callenberger and Ava Young along with sophomores Lily Glover and Hailey Holder. Callenberger put together an impressive first season as a Blazer in 2023, recording 147 kills and 88 blocks with 18 solo rejections. Meanwhile, Glover and Young were key pieces coming off the bench in 2023 with the pair sparking 24 aces, 15 kills, 236 digs and 18 blocks.

With a plethora of returning talent for this season, Zoucha welcomed several newcomers including West Virginia State University redshirt freshman setter Avery Mullins and Benedict College junior transfer Sabrina Oncins. In addition to the transfers, Zoucha welcomes a pair of freshmen including Mia Verger and Ava Keuntjes.
 
Prior to the preseason, the team embarked on a community-engagement trip to Costa Rica which only occurs every several years. While in Costa Rica, the entire team and staff worked within the community, participating in outreach programs and activities. The team also had the privilege of playing some of the best teams the country has to offer while also taking in the rich history and culture of the sport in Costa Rica. Overall, the Blazers were able to bond and create memories that will not just translate on the floor this season but last a lifetime.
 
The season kicks off on Sept. 6-7 as the Blazers are set to host the 2024 Fall Tournament at Valdosta State in The Complex. The tournament features four other teams including Winston-Salem, Rollins, Converse and Erskine, all of which the Blazers will play that weekend. The first game of the tournament kicks off on Friday, Sept. 6 at 9 a.m. as VSU takes on Converse. Tickets are on sale now by calling (229) 333-SEAT 7328) to purchase or at the VSU Athletic Ticket Office in the P.E. Complex.  
 
Season passes are $15, while VSU employees are $10, and seniors/youth are $10.  Individual game adult general admission tickets are $5 and youth/senior general admission tickets are $3.
 
Click here for the full 2024 Blazer volleyball schedule.