The VSU Lady Blazers volleyball team storm into this weekend’s Wingate by Wyndham Crossover Classic riding a six-match winning streak. The momentum couldn’t come at a better time, as the squad will host the tournament right here at the VSU Complex.
 Since the 0-3 outing at the Lynn Invitational to start the season, in which the ladies didn’t win a single set, the Lady Blazers have gone 14-2 and 4-1 within the Gulf South Conference. They now find themselves tied for the GSC East Division lead with West Florida and North Alabama.
 VSU will also enjoy home-court advantage for the remainder of the conference schedule.
 One of their biggest Conference wins so far this season came this past Saturday against North Alabama. The win was the first for Head Coach Sia Poyer in Florence, Ala.
 “It was really special,” Poyer said. “It was a win for every VSU volleyball team because we’ve always been at the wrath on the road against North Alabama.”
 With the big win on the road against North Alabama and a sweep of Armstrong Atlantic on Wednesday night, VSU will now return home and prepare for a clash between the Gulf South and Sunshine State Conferences, a tournament that will be pivotal to giving off momentum for the latter stages of the season.
 “We want to succeed at home in front of our fans, because we know they come out to support us,” Senior Emelia Saulter said. “There is a little pressure but I think we like it and we’re excited to play in front of our home crowd.”
 Coach Poyer agrees with Saulter, as he is skeptical about home-court advantage for the rest of the year.
 “We’ve only played one home match, so it should be easier, but we’ll see,” Poyer said. “This tournament deals with regional rankings so we have to do well. Although we play a lot of home matches the rest of the way, October will still be a difficult month for us.”
 As scheduled, the Lady Blazers will tip off against inner-state rival West Georgia and Rollins College on Friday, followed by Nova Southeastern and Eckerd on Saturday.
 If all goes well, VSU could walk out of this tournament with a grip on the Gulf South Conference by taking sole possession of first place in the East.
 Although the Lady Blazers are off to a fast start, making the Conference tournament remains the main goal for the motivated team.
 “We’ve been working really hard and as a team we’re growing and pushing each other to succeed and get what we want, which is to get to the Conference tournament,” Saulter said. “Our team chemistry is great. We blend really well with each other and have the heart and passion to go out there and try to win.”