VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Valdosta State volleyball team bounced back in its second outing in the VSU Fall Tournament, defeating Winston-Salem in three sets on Friday evening.
 
Match Information: Winston-Salem State at Valdosta State
Score: Valdosta State 3, Winston-Salem State 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-17)
Records: VSU (1-1), WSSU (0-2)
Location: The Complex (Valdosta, Ga.)
 
First Set:
The Blazers kicked down the door in the opening set, rushing out to a speedy 12-3 lead capped off by a service ace from senior Kaia Baker. However, the Rams went on a mini-run, scoring four points on a kill and three VSU miscues to pull within five, 12-7. Valdosta State quickly regrouped as six different Blazers delivered kills down the stretch. Up 21-13, The Blazers racked up four-straight points to secure set one, 25-13. VSU hit for a day-best .303 in the set on 15 kills and just five errors in 33 total swings while WSSU hit for -.103 on five kills and eight miscues in 29 attempts.
 
Second Set:
VSU opened the second set in spectacular fashion, rattling off a 10-2 run which was capped off by an ace from senior Jojo Smith. The Blazers and Rams traded points back and forth until Winston-Salem State tallied three consecutive points on VSU mistakes, 14-8. The Blazers then struck back on a 4-1 run including a stretch that saw Smith deliver three straight kills to put VSU up 18-9. The Blazer offensive barrage continued to rattle off points including five kills to give VSU the set two victory to a similar score of 25-13. The Blazers hit for .163 in set two, racking up a match-high 16 kills and nine errors on 43 swings while the Rams hit for -.098  on just two kills and six miscues in 41 attempts.
 
Third Set:
The third set of the match got off to a dramatic start as Winston-Salem State suffered a red and yellow card at the start of the match due to the team not being present on the court following the five minute break between sets two and three. Starting the set off with one point via the red card, the Blazers went on a quick 4-1 run, highlighted by back-to-back kills from seniors Christina Pettigrew and Audrey Bennett, 5-1. Despite this, the Rams were fired up, resulting in WSSU outscoring the Blazers 8-4 to even the set up at 9-9. VSU regrouped, outscoring the Rams 7-2  to give Valdosta State a little bit of a cushion, 16-11. Winston-Salem State brought it back within two following a three-point mini run just before the Blazers went on a 6-1 run to pull away, 22-15. WSSU scored two more in the set but the damage had already been done as Smith delivered two kills for two of the Blazers three remaining points in the set to lock down the 25-17 set three victory. The Blazers hit for a modest .167 in the set with 12 kills and six errors in 36 swings while Winston-Salem State recorded its best offensive set of the match, delivering six kills in 34 attempts for a -.059 percentage.
 
Inside the Numbers:

 
Up Next:
The Blazers look to close out the Fall Tournament at The Complex on Saturday afternoon when they take on Rollins College (2-0) at 11:30 a.m. before squaring off against Erskine (0-2) in the prime time matchup at 7:00 p.m.