VSU women’s volleyball team went 3-1 this past weekend when they traveled to Canyon, Texas, to compete in the Lady Buff Invitational.

VSU won their first two matches of the tournament without much trouble, shutting out Eastern New Mexico and Oklahoma Panhandle State with both matches ending 3-0.

The freshman setter Ashley LaLa put up exceptional numbers racking up 33 assists and 21 digs.

The high spirited Blazers put their talents to a more competitive test when they played powerhouse West Texas A&M in the following match.

West Texas A&M, who hosted the tourney, gave the Blazers their first defeat of the weekend, 3-0.

The Lady Buffs outsmarted the Blazers on each set, coming away with another win to add to their 8-0 start to the season, 25-12, 25-19, 25-8.

Head Coach Sia Poyer was quite pleased with his team’s efforts until they played their third match.

“We just didn’t play well at all,” Poyer said. “When you play a team like West Texas you just can’t make many mistakes at all especially at their home.”

Intimidation could have played a role in the rough loss especially to the new players who haven’t experienced playing in such crazy environments.

It’s safe to say that West Texas A&M took advantage of their home atmosphere sweeping all four teams they faced this past weekend.

“I haven’t played in another gym that’s like playing there,” Poyer said. “They have a huge volleyball following. That place is packed and it’s loud. They have a band and cheerleaders.”

The Blazers however certainly wouldn’t keep their heads down for long bouncing back to win their last match of the tourney 3-1 over New Mexico Highlands.

The comeback victory finished the Blazers with a 3-1 record over last weekend and 6-2 overall on the season.

Poyer was proud to see his players recuperate so quickly as if they had never lost.

“You got to be thick skinned about it and just have a short term memory,” Poyer said.

VSU middle blocker Tania Tauiliili led the team in kills at the Lady Buffs Invitational ending with 33.

VSU have this week to make a few adjustments before they get ready to hit the road again for their next tournament this weekend.

They will travel to Savannah, Ga. to play in the 2011 Pirate South/Southeast Challenge hosted by Armstrong Atlantic State.

“It’s an important weekend for us because these are regional matches,” Poyer said. They aren’t in our conference but it does count against our regional record.”

The first match will begin against USC-Aiken on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Blazers will then have a short rest period before hosting their conference opener at home against West Georgia on Tuesday at 6 p.m.