By Lloydrica Hudson, Sports Editor

VSU volleyball will look to bounce back from a loss as it travels to Tennessee for two Gulf South Conference matches this weekend.

The Blazers face Christian Brothers at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, in Memphis before traveling to Jackson to play Union at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

VSU enters the weekend with a 9-8 overall record and a 3-2 conference record. The Blazers won three consecutive matches against Trevecca Nazarene, Auburn Montgomery and Mississippi College before falling to West Alabama in straight sets Sept. 26.

Eva LaRochelle leads VSU’s offense with 159 kills, averaging 2.65 per set. Maddie Kilmer has added 121 kills, while Paola Aviles has recorded 106.

Defensively, Eimy Negron Domenech leads the Blazers with 347 digs, averaging 5.69 per set. Avery Mullins has contributed 179 digs, and Kinlees Timmons leads the team with 36 total blocks. Mullins also leads VSU with 427 assists.

As a team, VSU averages 12.4 kills and 19.5 digs per set with a .163 hitting percentage.

Friday’s opponent, Christian Brothers, enters the weekend 4-13 overall and 0-5 in conference play. The Lady Bucs have lost seven consecutive matches, most recently falling to West Alabama in straight sets Sept. 29.

Lana Martinez leads Christian Brothers with 133 kills, while Addison Wagoner has added 92. Sophia Nowacki leads the defense with 314 digs, and Sarah Helms has recorded 65 total blocks.

Christian Brothers averages 10 kills per set and has a .129 hitting percentage. Its defense averages 17.4 digs and 2.1 blocks per set.

VSU holds a 15-9 series record against Christian Brothers but lost the teams’ most recent meeting in straight sets Nov. 18, 2025. The Lady Bucs won that match 25-22, 28-26, 25-17.

The Blazers will then face a Union team they have beaten in five consecutive meetings. VSU leads the series 17-6 and swept the Bulldogs 25-17, 25-20, 25-14 in their last matchup Oct. 24, 2025.

The two road matches give VSU an opportunity to build on its winning conference record and regain momentum after last weekend’s loss.