By Lloydrica Hudson, Sports Editor

VSU volleyball lost its Gulf South Conference opener Friday, Sept. 18, then responded with wins over Trevecca Nazarene and Auburn Montgomery to improve to 2-1 in conference play.

The Blazers took the first set against Lee 25-20 on Friday at The Complex, but the Flames won the next three to take the match. Eva LaRochelle led VSU with 17 kills and hit .341. Avery Mullins added 32 assists and 11 digs, while Eimy Negrón Domenech had 22 digs. Kinsley Timmons contributed seven kills and four blocks. 

VSU returned Saturday and beat Trevecca Nazarene 25-22, 25-18, 22-25, 25-23 for its first conference win. The Blazers built a two-set lead before the Trojans won the third. VSU held on in a close fourth set to finish the match. 

Paola Avilés led VSU with 13 kills and four blocks against Trevecca Nazarene. LaRochelle and Maddie Goodwin each added nine kills, and Timmons had seven kills and five blocks. Mullins directed the offense with 40 assists, while Negrón Domenech made 29 digs and Ava Keuntjes added 18. As a team, VSU led the Trojans 53-50 in kills, 13-8 in blocks and 80-71 in digs. 

The Blazers kept that momentum Tuesday, sweeping Auburn Montgomery 25-19, 25-19, 25-22 at The Complex. VSU recorded 18 kills in the first set and held the Warhawks to a .029 hitting percentage in the second. Auburn Montgomery took an early lead in the third, but VSU rallied to complete the sweep.

LaRochelle led the Blazers with 13 kills and 11 digs against Auburn Montgomery. Maddie Kilmer had nine kills and three blocks, Mullins finished with 31 assists and two service aces, and Negrón Domenech led the defense with 16 digs.

VSU is 8-7 overall. The Blazers travel to Clinton, Mississippi, to face Mississippi College on Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern.