VALDOSTA, Ga. - Junior Erin Whalen and freshman Chardae Rumph swept this week's Gulf South Conference awards, winning player and freshman of the week respectively. The Valdosta State Lady Blazers (6-7, 3-4 Gulf South Conference) won all three games they played this week, including a nonconference win over Fort Lauderdale on Monday and two GSC wins over Mississippi College and Delta State over the weekend. 

This is Whalen's second GSC Player of the Week award of the 2025-26 campaign. Whalen averaged a strong double-double this week with 16.7 PPG and 11 RPG despite playing limited minutes against Fort Lauderdale. Her 17 rebounds against Mississippi College were the most in a game by any guard in the GSC this season. Whalen also played stellar defense, averaging three steals per contest this week. She added nine assists over the three games and shot an efficient 48.8% from the field including 36.4% from three-point range.

Rumph started all three games this week and continued to breakout as a key piece for Coach Chandler Merkerson on her way to her first ever GSC Freshman of the Week nod. Rumph recorded the best night of her young career on Sunday versus Delta State when she dropped 19 points on a 6-for-8 shooting split. The freshman averaged 12.7 PPG over the week while shooting a stellar 45.2%. She added 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1 steal per game over the three contests. 

Coach Merkerson spoke briefly on the recent breakout from the Miami, Fla. native: "Chardae is an elite scorer who has just started to find her groove. She's put in the work and never stopped believing in herself or the process. We don't win three games last week without her shot making." The freshman will be a name to watch through the rest of the spring after her breakout week.

The Lady Blazers hit the road this week as their GSC slate continues into the new year. VSU travels to the Volunteer State this weekend to take on Union at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Christian Brothers at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. 

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