VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (13-17, 10-9 GSC) dropped a crucial match to Valdosta State University (19-10, 13-6 GSC) in the Complex on Friday night.

The Blazers defeated the Trojans in five sets, winning, 25-16, 25-18, 22-25, 20-25, 15-9.

With tonight's result, the Trojans secured their spot hosting the first round of the GSC tournament next week. Whether they lock in the #5 or #6 seed depends on tomorrow's game against UWF and the Lee-VSU match. The Trojans will host the opening round match in Trojan Fieldhouse on November 19 at 6:00 p.m.

THE SERIES
The Trojans fell to the Blazers in three sets in the team's first-ever meeting on October 18 with VSU now holding a 2-0 all-time series lead. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Blazers grabbed early control of the opener, taking seven of the first 10 points. After the Trojans took the next two points, VSU rattled off the next four to put the set out of reach, 11-5. From there, the closet the Trojans could pull was within five at 19-14. VSU secured the set on a 6-2 run, winning 25-16.

Trevecca rallied back to start the second, earning a 4-1 lead which turned into a 7-3 lead of its own. The Blazers pulled within one with three straight points and tied the set at 10-10 behind back-to-back kills. Both sides traded points until the Trojans' last point of the set made it a 19-18 game. VSU captured the second set after taking the final six points, 25-18.

The Trojans jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the third, before the Blazers turned things around and tied it at 4-4. A pair of service aces yielded the Trojans' largest led of the night at 11-7. VSU managed to force a 14-14 tie in the midst of a 4-0 Blazer run. With Trevecca leading 22-21 late, five of the last six points went to the Trojans who won 25-22.

VSU put the TNU in a quick 6-2 hole before the Trojans rattled off four straight tying it at 6-6. Trailing 13-10, the Trojans used an 8-2 run to lead 18-15. Both sides traded the next eight points before the Trojans took the final three points to win the set 25-20 and force a decisive fifth set.

The Blazers stormed out to a 6-3 lead in the fifth, forcing a Trevecca timeout. Out of the break, the Trojans got the next point but surrendered the next three which caused them to take their second timeout, down 9-4. Trevecca once again took the point out of the break, but this time allowed four straight to VSU to face set point. The Trojans fended off three set points before losing the match, 15-9.

THE TEAM
Trevecca collectively hit .173, with VSU earning a .246 mark. The Trojans had 58 kills and 55 assists. Trevecca produced seven blocks and five service aces with 73 digs, two more than the Blazers.

THE PLAYERS
Emma Titus had a season-high 21 kills on 51 total attacks (.235%). Titus previously had 19 kills in a match versus Rollins earlier this season on September 21. Titus' career-high kills is 27 which she produced in a match versus Northern Michigan last season. Addison Cunnagin (14) and Elizabeth Wells (12) also touched double digit kills.

UP NEXT
The Trojans conclude the regular season on Saturday against GSC-leading University of West Florda (24-5, 19-0 GSC).

First serve against the Argonauts is set for 1:00 p.m. The Trojans took a set off the Argonauts in their October 19 matchup. West Florida has been receiving votes in the national poll for several weeks this season and cracked into the top 25 at #25 as of the November 11 poll. UWF has not lost a conference match this season.