LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team continues Gulf South Conference play this weekend as the Tigers welcome Auburn University at Montgomery and Valdosta State to Pruitt Hall for a pair of conference matches.
West Alabama will face AUM Friday at 6 p.m. before returning to the court Saturday for a 1 p.m. first serve against Valdosta State.
The Tigers enter the weekend at 14-1 overall and 2-0 in GSC play following Tuesday night's 3-0 victory over Union University. The win extended West Alabama's winning streak to 12 consecutive matches while pushing its school-record streak to 28 consecutive sets won.
UWA has not dropped a set since its five-set victory over Henderson State on Sept. 4. Since then, the Tigers have recorded nine consecutive sweeps, including conference victories over Mississippi Christian and Union.
West Alabama has also been perfect inside Pruitt Hall this season, carrying a 7-0 home record into the weekend.
Freshman setter
Rachele Zanini continues to make an immediate impact for the Tigers. Zanini was named the GSC Freshman of the Week for the third time this season Tuesday before earning Player of the Match honors in UWA's victory over Union later that evening.
Zanini earned the conference's first two Freshman of the Week honors of the season before redshirt freshman middle blocker
Duru Seber received the award in Week 3. Zanini's latest selection gives West Alabama each of the first four GSC Freshman of the Week honors of the season.
Scouting Auburn Montgomery
Auburn Montgomery enters Friday's matchup with a 2-11 overall record and an 0-3 mark in Gulf South Conference play. The Warhawks are looking to snap a nine-match losing streak after falling 3-0 to Valdosta State on Tuesday.
AUM opened conference play with a straight-set loss to Trevecca Nazarene before pushing Lee to five sets in a 3-2 setback. The Warhawks then traveled to Valdosta State, where the Blazers earned a 25-19, 25-19, 25-22 victory.
Chelsea Daffin has been one of AUM's primary offensive threats. She led the Warhawks against Valdosta State with nine kills while adding 14 digs, three blocks and two service aces. Jamya Powell contributed five kills and four blocks, while Mya Lacey finished with four kills and nine digs.
Setter Addison Vinson directs the Warhawk offense and recorded a double-double against Valdosta State with 19 assists and 14 digs. Defensively, Amiliaa DeLeon recorded a team-high 16 digs, while Jaslyn Montgomery led AUM at the net with six blocks.
West Alabama trails the all-time series against Auburn Montgomery 9-8.
Scouting Valdosta State
Valdosta State enters the weekend at 8-7 overall and 2-1 in Gulf South Conference play following back-to-back conference victories over Trevecca Nazarene and Auburn Montgomery.
The Blazers opened GSC play with a four-set loss to Lee before responding with a 3-1 victory over Trevecca Nazarene. Valdosta State followed with a 3-0 sweep of AUM on Tuesday, winning 25-19, 25-19 and 25-22.
Eva LaRochelle has been a leader for the Valdosta State attack and entered Tuesday's match averaging 2.51 kills per set. Paola Aviles has also been a key offensive contributor at 2.24 kills per set.
Setter Avery Mullins directs the Blazer offense and entered the week averaging six assists per set, while Eimy Negron Domenech anchors the back row and entered Tuesday averaging 5.83 digs per set.
Valdosta State will have one match before arriving in Livingston, traveling to Mississippi Christian on Friday before facing West Alabama on Saturday.
The Blazers lead the all-time series against West Alabama 35-22.
Match Information
Auburn Montgomery at West Alabama
Date: Friday, Sept. 25
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Pruitt Hall | Livingston, Ala.
Valdosta State at West Alabama
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Pruitt Hall | Livingston, Ala.
