ROME, Ga. – The Lee volleyball team settled for a weekend split falling to Valdosta State in a five-set battle, 3-2 on Saturday from Shorter University.

The Lady Flames fought back to force the tiebreaking fifth set with a 25-18 victory in set four. The tightly contest match saw Lee drop the opening set, 26-24 before coming back to win set two, 27-25. The Lady Blazers took set three 25-23.

The fifth and final set belonged to Valdosta State as they jumped out to an 8-3 edge before taking the match, 15-8.

Abby Stroh posted a double-double with 14 kills and 15 digs and continued her dynamic serving with three aces. Allie Whittinghill added 13 slams and Emma Flowers delivered 12 to go along with five blocks. Calina Croy set things in motion with 27 assists and added three aces. Mackenzie Pearson posted 25 digs and had 54 total on the weekend.

"We had a great win last night over West Georgia. The girls stepped up and it was a great balanced effort. Today we just couldn't get a consistent rhythm going," said Lee head coach Andrea Hudson. "Valdosta is a tough team and had played a really tough schedule. We knew we had to play flawless to win. I was proud of our effort though."

Caitlin Warnshuis put on a spectacular individual performance with 26 kills. Jessie Mooney added a double-double with 14 slams and 16 digs. Kennedy DuLuca also tallied 14 kills and added four blocks defensively. Rosario Hernandez stepped up with 31 digs from the libero spot.

The Lady Flames drop to 3-2 on the year and an even 2-2 in the GSC. Valdosta State finally gets in the win column after a challenging schedule to start the year and are now 1-6 and 1-4 in league play.

Lee will get back to work with a trip to Montgomery, Ala. next Saturday to take on Montevallo and Auburn Montgomery.