VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State women's basketball team continues Gulf South Conference play this week with two road matchups. The Lady Blazers (6-7, 3-4 Gulf South Conference) travel to Jackson, Tenn. to face Union (10-5, 5-2 GSC) on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET and to Memphis to face Christian Brothers (3-10, 0-7 GSC) on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. The Lady Blazers enter the week riding a three-game winning streak after victories over Fort Lauderdale, Mississippi College and Delta State at the Complex.
Junior guard Erin Whalen has been on fire throughout the streak and was recently named the D2CIDA/WBCA National Player of the Week, the first such recognition by any player in program history. Whalen averaged 16.7 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals during the stretch, including a 19-point, 17-rebound effort in the win over Mississippi College. Whalen continues to lead the Lady Blazers in scoring, rebounding and steals while shooting efficiently from the field and from three-point range.
Senior guard Aryana Hicks has provided leadership and consistency for the team, averaging 12.5 points and 5.3 assists per game while connecting on a high percentage of her field-goal attempts. The veteran leads the entire Gulf South Conference in both total assists and assists per game on the season.Freshman guard Chardae Rumph started all three games this week and earned Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week honors in the best week of her young career. Rumph exploded for 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting in Sunday's win over Delta State.
Other key contributors helping fuel the Lady Blazers' recent success include sophomores Alina Martin, Ka'Miah Pryor and Amaya Broadus. Broadus is currently sidelined due to injury, and the team is without another typical starter in injured freshman Kendall Dykstra. VSU has gained additional valuable minutes from junior Alina Sapilak, sophomore Raeanne Eccleston, along with freshmen Kaci Demps and Rebecca Souverain.
Union enters the matchup as a consistent contender in the Gulf South Conference. The Lady Bulldogs are led in scoring and rebounding by guard Olivia Lee with 14.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Courtney Zensen (11.4 PPG) and Abigail Bryan (9.7 PPG) have been key contributors offensively. VSU will look to cut into Union's all-time series lead of 18-7. The Lady Bulldogs have won the last two meetings between the GSC foes.
Christian Brothers has struggled in conference play this season but is still a considerable threat. Center Donee' Frazier leads the Lady Bucs in scoring (14.7 points per game) and rebounding (7 rebounds per game). Junior guard Alice Conrad adds 11.3 PPG. VSU holds a 16-7 all-time advantage over the Lady Bucs, but CBU won the last game between the two sides.
Valdosta State will aim to extend its winning streak on the road this week. Thursday's tip in Jackson, Tenn. against Union is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by Sunday's matchup in Memphis, Tenn. against Christian Brothers at 2 p.m. ET. Both games will be streamed live on FloCollege. Fans can follow the action on the Valdosta State athletics website for live updates, box scores and postgame coverage.
