VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State women's volleyball team battled through a five-set match against the Mississippi Christian Choctaws Sunday afternoon. With an evenly matched contest, the Blazers came out on top with scores of 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 18-25 and 15-11.
Valdosta State improved to 14-12 overall and 8-6 in Gulf South Conference play with the win, wrapping up their Homecoming weekend in style in front of the home crowd.
In the first set, the Blazers took off and did not let off the gas. The Choctaws kept within striking distance but eventually lost the set 25-21 to the Blazers. Valdosta State had 15 kills in that first set with Eva LaRochelle again leading the attack as the Blazers got off to a good start.
Mississippi Christian responded in the second set, edged the Blazers 25-22 to level the score one set each. Valdosta State kept fighting in the third set, using some key plays and good offensive execution to take the set 25-22.
The Choctaws answered again in the fourth set, taking a 25-18 win to force a fifth set. The Blazers came out with their best hitting of the day in the decider, recording 11 kills and just two errors. Valdosta State had a hitting percentage of .290 in the fifth set to close the match out 15-11.
Leading the Blazers
LaRochelle led the Valdosta State offense with 23 kills, 16 digs and two total blocks. Maddie Kilmer also contributed offensively and had 16 kills with a hitting percentage of .364.
Avery Mullins had 49 assists and 16 digs. Eimy Negron Domenech had a match high 35 digs and Aubrie Arnold recorded 17 digs and two service aces.
Valdosta State finished the match with 65 kills, 57 assists and 120 digs. Their defensive effort and ability to come back in the fifth set were key in the team securing the well earned win.
The Blazers will be back at The Complex on Friday, Oct. 30 to host Union at 6 p.m. for the Halloween Game. Valdosta State looks to take that momentum from their Homecoming win on Sunday and carry it into another key conference game as the regular season unfolds.
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