LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team continues its Gulf South Conference schedule this weekend with a pair of road matchups against Valdosta State University and Auburn University at Montgomery. The Tigers will open the weekend Friday, Oct. 23, in Valdosta, Georgia, before traveling to Montgomery, Alabama, for Saturday's contest.
West Alabama enters the weekend at 22-3 overall and 9-2 in GSC play following a four-set loss to Mississippi Christian last Saturday. The Tigers look to return to the win column and regain momentum as the conference schedule moves into its final stretch.

THE MATCHUPS
West Alabama Volleyball at Valdosta State
West Alabama: 22-3 (9-2 GSC) | Valdosta State: 13-11 (7-5 GSC)
Friday, Oct. 23 | 5 p.m. CT
The Complex | Valdosta, Ga.
West Alabama Volleyball at Auburn Montgomery
West Alabama: 22-3 (9-2 GSC) | AUM: 2-21 (0-12 GSC)
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 2 p.m. CT
AUM Athletics Complex | Montgomery, Ala.

SCOUTING VALDOSTA STATE
Valdosta State enters Friday's matchup at 13-11 overall and 7-5 in conference play after earning a straight-set victory over AUM on Tuesday. The Blazers claimed the match by scores of 25-22, 25-17 and 25-17 while hitting .280 as a team.
Eva LaRochelle leads the Valdosta State offense with 263 kills, averaging 3.09 per set. Maddie Kilmer follows with 186 kills and a .222 hitting percentage, while Avery Mullins directs the offense with 684 assists.
Defensively, Eimy Negron Domenech has recorded 494 digs, averaging 5.74 per set. The Blazers average 19.70 digs per set as a team, presenting a defensive challenge for the Tigers.
Valdosta State has won two of its last five matches, including victories over Trevecca Nazarene and AUM. The Blazers will look to build on Tuesday's performance as they return home for Friday's contest.

SCOUTING AUM
Auburn Montgomery enters the weekend at 2-21 overall and 0-12 in Gulf South Conference play following Tuesday's loss to Valdosta State.
Chelsea Daffin has been a leading offensive contributor for the Warhawks, recording 184 kills through Oct. 7. Mya Lacey and Jamya Powell have also contributed to the AUM attack, while Addison Vinson has helped direct the offense from the setter position.
In Tuesday's contest against Valdosta State, Lacey led AUM with 12 kills, while Jaslyn Montgomery added seven kills on a .316 hitting percentage. Vinson recorded 31 assists, and Kinsley Kennedy contributed 21 digs.
AUM enters Saturday's contest still searching for its first conference victory of the season.

LAST MEETINGS
West Alabama enters the weekend looking to complete regular-season sweeps of both opponents after earning straight-set victories during the first half of conference play.
The Tigers hosted AUM on Sept. 25 inside Pruitt Hall, securing a 3-0 victory by scores of 25-16, 25-12 and 25-18.
The following afternoon, West Alabama defeated Valdosta State in straight sets, 25-22, 25-20 and 25-20, completing an undefeated conference weekend at home.
Friday and Saturday will mark the second meetings of the season against both programs, with the Tigers looking to repeat their success on the road.

TIGERS TO WATCH
West Alabama continues to feature a balanced offensive attack led by sophomore Klára Bobánová, who has recorded a team-high 270 kills while hitting .304. Bobánová averages 3.33 kills per set and recently earned GSC Offensive Player of the Week recognition.
Katerina Korre follows with 226 kills and 35 service aces, while Jazlyn Snow has contributed 160 kills with a .344 hitting percentage. Duru Seber has also been an efficient presence at the net, recording 129 kills while hitting .346.
Freshman setter Rachele Zanini continues to direct the Tigers' offense with 832 assists, averaging 10.02 per set. Zanini has also contributed 236 digs and 34 service aces, while Bailey Keef leads the Tigers defensively with 272 digs.
As a team, West Alabama enters the weekend hitting .269 while holding opponents to a .133 hitting percentage. The Tigers average 13.27 kills and 2.14 service aces per set.

LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
The Tigers will look to respond following Saturday's four-set setback against Mississippi Christian, which ended a three-match winning streak.
Bobánová led West Alabama with 12 kills in the contest, while Snow and Raven Grant each added eight. Zanini recorded 35 assists, and Charlotte Kerscher contributed a team-high 19 digs.
West Alabama battled through a competitive opening set before falling 26-24 and dropped the second 25-20. The Tigers responded with a stronger offensive performance in the third, hitting .227 on their way to a 25-18 victory.
Mississippi Christian answered in the fourth, holding off West Alabama for a 25-21 win to secure the match.
With the conference schedule moving into its final stretch, the Tigers will look to regain momentum and strengthen their position in the GSC standings as they face two familiar opponents.

UP NEXT
West Alabama returns to Pruitt Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to host Christian Brothers University in Gulf South Conference action. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.