VALDOSTA, Ga. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team delivered a record-breaking performance Friday evening, battling back from a 2-1 deficit to secure a 3-2 Gulf South Conference victory over Valdosta State University inside The Complex.

Rachele Zanini set a new program single-match record with 70 assists, while Katerina Korre and Jazlyn Snow each recorded career highs in kills. The Tigers claimed the match by scores of 23-25, 27-25, 22-25, 25-19 and 15-9, improving to 23-3 overall and 10-2 in GSC play.

THE MATCH

West Alabama opened the first set with an aggressive offensive approach, jumping out to a 5-1 advantage behind early kills from Duru Seber and Katerina Korre. The Tigers maintained their lead through much of the set before Valdosta State rallied to take a 17-16 advantage, setting up a back-and-forth finish.

The two teams continued trading points down the stretch, with neither side able to establish separation. A late push from the Blazers gave Valdosta State a 24-22 advantage. Klára Bobánová answered with a kill to keep the Tigers alive, but the Blazers closed the set 25-23.

The second set featured another tightly contested battle as the teams exchanged leads throughout the opening stages. West Alabama found momentum late, building a 23-21 advantage behind kills from Bobánová and errors by the Blazers.

Valdosta State responded to reach set point at 24-23, but Korre delivered a kill to even the score. After the Blazers regained the lead, Korre answered again before consecutive Valdosta State attack errors gave West Alabama the 27-25 victory and tied the match at one set apiece.

The third set remained competitive through the midway point, with the teams tied at 16 before Valdosta State began pulling away. The Blazers built a 24-21 advantage, and despite a late kill from Snow, Valdosta State secured the 25-22 win to take a 2-1 match lead.

Facing elimination, West Alabama delivered one of its strongest offensive performances of the evening in the fourth set.

The Tigers established an early advantage and gradually extended their lead behind contributions from Bobánová, Snow and Seber. West Alabama pushed ahead 15-9 before extending the margin to 20-12. Ola Winiarek added a service ace during the run, while Korre continued finding success offensively.

West Alabama finished the fourth set hitting .412, recording 18 kills to force a decisive fifth set with a 25-19 victory.

The Tigers carried that momentum into the final set, opening with consecutive kills from Korre before building a 5-1 lead. Valdosta State attempted to close the gap, but West Alabama maintained control as Snow, Korre and Bobánová continued producing offensively.

With the Tigers leading 12-8, Korre delivered three consecutive kills to bring West Alabama to match point. Following a Valdosta State response, Bobánová finished the contest with her 30th kill of the evening, sealing the 15-9 victory.

RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCES

Zanini led the Tigers' offensive effort with a program-record 70 assists, surpassing the previous UWA single-match mark. The freshman setter also contributed 11 digs, recording a double-double while directing an offense that finished with 85 kills and a .332 hitting percentage.

Korre and Snow also reached individual milestones during the victory. Korre finished with a career-high 20 kills on 47 attempts, hitting .340 while adding 11 digs for a double-double.

Snow recorded a career-best 18 kills on 34 attempts, hitting an impressive .500 with just one attack error. Her efficiency helped the Tigers maintain offensive pressure throughout the five-set contest.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Sophomore Klára Bobánová earned UWA Player of the Match honors after leading the Tigers with a match-high 30 kills on 64 attempts, hitting .375 while adding 15 digs for a double-double.

Bobánová played a key role throughout the five-set battle, providing consistent offensive production and delivering the match-winning kill in the decisive fifth set.

BY THE NUMBERS

West Alabama finished with 85 kills, 76 assists and 97 digs while holding Valdosta State to a .262 hitting percentage.

Charlotte Kerscher led the Tigers defensively with 20 digs, while Winiarek added 18 digs, seven kills and two service aces.

For the Blazers, Camryn Childers led the offense with 21 kills, followed by Eva LaRochelle with 18. Avery Mullins recorded 48 assists, while Eimy Negron Domenech collected 29 digs.

UP NEXT

West Alabama continues its Gulf South Conference road trip Saturday, Oct. 24, traveling to Montgomery, Alabama, to face Auburn University at Montgomery. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT at the AUM Athletics Complex.