Valdosta Athletics

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Valdosta State volleyball team rounded out the Flagler Invitational in a 2-2 split. After going 1-1 on day one, the Blazers have the same outcome on day two. In the first match of the day they fell to their host Flagler but prevailed later on in the night against Saint Leo.
 

Match 3 vs Flagler (19-25, 17-25, 25-22, 22-25):
 

Playing against host Flagler, VSU took them to four sets, but the Saints secured a 3-1 win.

The Blazers fell behind early when Flagler took the first two sets, but made a comeback in the third set. They managed 14 kills and a hitting percentage of .143 in that set to keep the match going.

Maddie Kilmer and Paola Aviles each landed 10 kills while leading the Blazers in attack. Camryn Childers added eight kills to that tally, while Aviles also had three blocks and Kilmer with two and two service aces.

Eimy Negron Domenech still showed up as the anchor for the VSU defense and recorded 34 digs. Avery Mullins also recorded 19 digs and ended the match with 177 assists, while Ava Keuntjes contributed 15 digs.

The Blazers were still within striking distance during the fourth set. During that set they recorded 10 kills but Flagler succeeded in holding the Blazers off. 

In total, Valdosta State ended the match with 41 kills, 38 assists, 103 digs and eight blocks, with a hitting percentage of .089.

Match 4 vs Saint Leo (20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-10):
 

Saint Leo gained an early advantage in the first set and in the end were ahead 20-15. Although VSU kept on fighting with its offensive attacks, the Lions managed to fend off the Blazers and won the first set.

In the second set Valdosta State reacted by gaining an early lead, although Saint Leo then managed to bring the score back to 20-20. Towards the end of the set the Blazers remained calm, Paola Aviles landing two consecutive kills to help VSU secure the 25-22 win and level the match.

The third set stayed tight as the two teams exchanged points before Saint Leo secured a 19-18 lead towards the end. VSU responded with two kills scored by Eva LaRochelle to gain a 22-20 lead, and Aviles then added a kill late on as the Blazers won the set 25-22 to take a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth set VSU maintained its momentum by taking an early 5-1 lead and eventually established a 16-3 lead. The Blazers kept on applying pressure to the Lions through both their serves and attacks, increasing the lead to 21-8 before finishing the match. Aviles completed the final kill with an assist from Avery Mullins, securing the 25-10 win.

LaRochelle and Aviles each had 13 kills to lead the Blazers, with Camryn Childers adding 10. Mullins was in charge of the attack with 34 assists, and Eimy Negron Domenech formed the backbone of the defense with 28 digs. Ava Keuntjes had four service aces and 14 digs, while Addison Cooley provided three aces and 14 digs as well. As a team, VSU achieved a hitting percentage of .204 and recorded 54 kills, 49 assists, nine aces and 98 digs.

As a result of their victory, Valdosta State ended the Flagler Invitational with a record of 2-2 and raised their overall record for the season to 3-4. 

The Blazers will now return to their home court at the VSU Complex to host their Fall Tournament Sept. 10-12.

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