Sadie Johnson posted 15 assists, 11 digs and was a perfect 4 for 4 in the attack to help lead the Lee volleyball team past Valdosta State 3-1 on Friday night in a key Gulf South Conference battle from Walker Arena.

Silvia Sartori provided 12 powerful kills and had nine kills while Alex Reuter and Ellisia Kimble dominated the middle 10 and eight slam respectively while both teaming up for four blocks.

The Lady Flames jetted out to a 25-22 win in the first set but played a sloppy, error-filled second game in losing 25-21 to the Blazers.

"My team tricked me tonight," mused head coach Andrea Hudson. "We were sharp and played so well in the first set and then played about as bad as we've played all year in the second set. I credit our team though because we bounced back and pulled it out in the end."

Lee certainly did rebound with a comeback third set victory (25-21) before opening up a comfortable margin for most of the fourth set. The Blazers weren't content to go away quietly as they posted a late rally before falling 25-21 in the end.

Senior Brooke Wilsman put away the final point for the Lady Flames and finished with five kills and 15 big digs defensively.

Bailey Kress set the tone early for Lee as she came out firing with five first set slams. Kress ended the match with six kills and added four blocks.

Both teams put pressure on the opposing offense with stingy net play. Valdosta totaled 16 blocks while Lee sent back 14 balls. Coach Hudson's club settled for a .177 hitting percentage while the Blazers hit just .139.

"I think sometimes we get in ruts but tonight when we did we focused in and turned together and fixed our mistakes," said sophomore defense specialist Micaela McMichen who was called upon in the second set to help settle things down for Lee. "One of my teammates told me a quiet mind and a loud mouth so when I go in I try and focus on my job and bring a lot of energy to the team."

Tristyn Sells led the visitors with 13 kills while Chloe Chubilleau registered 12 kills and 10 digs. Sara Dandridge, who entered the match fifth in the league in assists, tallied 30 more to go along with five slams.
 
Lee improves to 16-6 overall and 7-3 in the GSC. The sport court has been kind to the Lady Flames as they are now 6-1 in Walker Arena. The loss drops VSU to 10-12 on the year and 5-6 against conference competition.

The Lady Flames won't have long to enjoy the victory however as No. 22 West Florida comes to town on Saturday for a 2 p.m. showdown with a perfect 11-0 conference mark. Dating back to last season the Argonauts have won 16 straight league contests. There last defeat came at Walker Arena to the Lady Flames in five sets last October.

"West Florida is playing very well right now and they are always difficult to beat," added Hudson. "They have a seasoned, veteran team but I believe if we come out and play the way I know we can and eliminate sloppy mistakes we can give ourselves a good chance to win."