VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State volleyball team (12-16, 11-8 Gulf South Conference) fell in four sets in Nashville tonight against Trevecca Nazarene (21-7, 15-4 GSC). Tonight's loss sets up a battle for the fourth seed in the GSC tournament tomorrow when VSU takes on the Lee University Flames (15-13, 11-8 GSC) tomorrow at 5 p.m. ET in Cleveland, Tennessee.

The Blazers ran ahead in the opening set behind two kills each from junior Asia Montagnani and senior Katie Callenberger. Junior Eimy Negron Domenech, fresh off of her fourth consecutive GSC Defensive Player of the Week recognition, added an ace to the offense on its way to a 10-8 lead. TNU fought back and jumped in front, with kills from senior Ava Young and sophomore Avery Mullins cutting the deficit to 16-14. A combo block from Callenberger and freshman Madison Kilmer drew the team within one.

Kilmer, Callenberger, and senior Sabrina Oncins fired away three straight kills for the offense to push VSU back ahead 18-17. Mullins and Callenberger worked together for a block and Graduate Macy Brown sent down her first kill of the match, but TNU stayed closely behind, 20-19. The Trojan offense caught fire, taking the next six points. Brown added one more kill for the Blazers, but Trevecca Nazarene escaped the first set with a 25-22 win.

Brown (3), Montagnani (2), LaRochelle (2), Mullins (2), and Callenberger powered the offense with kills as the teams traded blows on the way to a tie at 13. The Blazers kept swinging in the second set, with the next eight points coming on kills from Oncins (4), Young, LaRochelle, Mullins, and Brown on the way to a 20-20 tie. LaRochelle and Young combined for blocks on each of the next two Blazer points on the way to a tie at 23. Oncins added another kill to a big second set to move the team within match point. An error gave VSU the win 25-23 to tie the match 1-1. 

Brown opened the third set with a kill then Young sent down a rejection and quickly added a kill. Mullins dropped in an ace to boost VSU in front 4-0 early. Brown and Montagnani added kills, but the Trojans fought within 7-6. Mullins and Callenberger put down a block then Brown added a kill. Callenberger and Brown kept the offense moving with more finishes and the sides drew even again at 12-12. The Blazers benefited from a pair of errors, Montagnani sent down a kill, and Oncins put away a block before adding a kill on the way to another tie at 17.

The offense kept fighting in a close behind kills from Callenberger and Mullins along with a combo block by Young and Brown. Ultimately, TNU pulled away to win 25-20 and take a 2-1 advantage in the match.

Four different Blazers (Callenberger, Brown, Montagnani, and Oncins) traded kills to start the fourth set. Brown then sent down two more, but the Trojans jumped ahead 7-6. More kills came from Montagnani, Kilmer, and Oncins, and freshman Ava Keuntjes followed with a service ace. Oncins added another kill, but the Trojan offense rolled ahead 19-15. Kilmer, Young, and Montagnani sent down one more kill each, but TNU pulled away to take the final set 25-20 and win the match 3-1.

Looking Forward

The Valdosta State volleyball team is back in action tomorrow with the fate of their GSC tournament path hanging in the balance. With a win over Lee (15-13, 11-8 GSC) tomorrow at 5 p.m. ET, the Blazers secure a first round bye and a trip to Pensacola for the GSC tournament. With a loss, VSU would prepare to host an opening round tournament game at the Complex on Tuesday. 

Check the volleyball schedule page on vstateblazers.com for links to live stats and streaming for this weekend and as they pertain to the GSC tournament.

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