Playing in front of a loud and energetic crowd in Walker Arena the Lee volleyball team scored the last four points in set four to earn their first Gulf South Conference victory, finishing off Valdosta State, 3-1 on Friday night.

Sophia Lippert led the way with 12 kills in the win. The freshman right-side hitter has combined for 20 slams over the last two matches. Senior Abby Stroh posted a double-double with 10 kills and 18 digs and added three blocks as she played all but one point in the four-set battle. The setting duo of Ashton Middleton and Clarissa Soza played a key role in the victory. Middleton had 22 assists and three aces while Soza had 18 assists and 15 digs.

"This win feels good. We've been really putting in the work in practice and felt like we were close to breaking through, so it was nice to see it result in a win tonight," said Stroh. "I just want to help this team anyway I can. Our setters did a great job tonight setting me up and getting us into the offense. They were all over the court and played big defensively as well."

The Lady Flames were trailing 18-14 in set one before going on an 11-2 run to close things out and take the early 1-0 lead. Lee controlled set two with a 25-18 victory over the Blazers. Valdosta State would answer in set three 25-18 before the back and forth fourth set.

Lee jumped out early 13-6 in the fourth and controlled most of the set before Valdosta State rallied back with four straight points to take a 22-21 lead. From there the Lady Flames finished things off with four straight points. Allie Whittinghill started the run with a kill and from there Stroh served Lee to victory with three straight Blazer errors.

"We talked about being patient and putting in the work and the wins would come. I'm so proud of the girls for sticky to the process and believing in each other," said Interim Head Coach Silvia Beauzile, who earned her first career victory on Friday night. "We withstood some of there runs but never faltered and kept coming back. That shows the character of this team. We need to build on this as we face another tough test in West Georgia tomorrow."

Jojo Smith led the Blazers with a match-high 16 kills to go along with 17 digs and three blocks. Christina Pettigrew led the solid net play of Valdosta State with eight blocks. Audrey Bennett and Dias Guilia each tallied 13 assists.

Lee improves to 3-14 on the year and 1-4 in the GSC play. Valdosta State falls to 7-11 and 1-4 in league play.

The Lady Flames will wrap up a five-game home stand on Saturday afternoon as they welcome West Georgia to town for a 2 p.m. first serve.