VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State Lady Blazers (2-3) tipoff Gulf South Conference play this week when they host West Alabama (2-1) on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Complex. The team plays its second home GSC game of the year on Saturday at 2 p.m. against UAH (4-3).

The Lady Blazers enter the week following a closely fought 64-61 loss to No. 9 Embry-Riddle on Saturday. Junior Erin Whalen led the Lady Blazers in scoring (18), steals (2), and blocks (2) in the loss. Senior Aryana Hicks added 12 points along with a team-high four assists.

The duo of Hicks and Whalen powered the Lady Blazer offense for much of non-conference play. Hicks averages 14.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game to lead the team in all three categories to this point in the season. Whalen has averaged 14 points while pacing the team with 7.6 rebounds per game. Whalen's three blocks on the season tie with sophomore Amaya Broadus to lead the team.

VSU has gotten big minutes from Broadus and sophomore Raeanne Eccleston in the paint. The pair are third and fourth on the team in scoring with 7.6 and 6.4 points per game respectively. They have combined for 47 rebounds over five games. Eccleston has started two contests for the Lady Blazers while Broadus has started three. The rest of starting lineup (Whalen, Hicks, sophomore Ka'Miah Pryor, and freshman Kendall Dykstra) has remained consistent through five contests. 

The UWA Tigers are 2-1 to this point in the season, defeating Clark Atlanta and Spring Hill College in Mobile before dropping a game at home to Columbus State. UWA has also been led in scoring by a pair of guards in 2025 in Kendall Lacoste and Bellah Machen. The pair has averaged 14.7 points per game each for the Tiger offense. Graduate center Haley Nichols averages 8.7 points and leads the Tigers in rebounding with 7.0 per game.

Historically, the Lady Blazers have won 23 of the last 30 matches with UWA dating back to 2010. VSU rides a nine game winning streak in the series into Thursday's game.

The UAH Chargers (4-3) have already played seven games to this point in the season, including a win over No. 18 Southwest Minnesota State. The Chargers have scored 89 or more points in each of their last three games, all wins. Senior guard Lilli Wilken paces the team and the GSC in scoring with 21.3 points per game. Freshman Ava McSwain was named GSC Freshman of the Week last week after averaging 12 points and 2.1 rebounds in last week's two Charger wins.

VSU has a commanding 44-17 lead in the all-time series with UAH dating back to 1992, but the Chargers won both of last year's contests and enter Saturday on a two game winning streak in the series. The Lady Blazers had held a six game winning streak before UAH took both games in last season's series.

Show out to support your Lady Blazers when they tip off GSC Play versus West Alabama Thursday night at 6 p.m. at the Complex. The home stand continues on Saturday at 2 p.m. against the UAH Chargers. Tickets can be purchased at https://vstateblazers.com/sports/2025/7/3/tickets.aspx

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