The UNA volleyball team defeated the Valdosta State Blazers 3-0 Friday night in Flowers Hall for the Lions second consecutive conference win.

The first two sets of the match were hotly contested, but UNA was able to hold off Valdosta State to complete the sweep.

“Valdosta is a great team with great players,” said head coach Stephanie Radecki. “I really think we made huge improvements tonight in our blocking and our defense. That helped a lot.”

UNA’s win halted the Blazers two-match winning streak against the Lions and improved UNA’s record to 14-3 overall and 8-1 in the Gulf South Conference.

UNA took the first set 25-19, led by four kills each from sophomore middle hitter Jessica Austin and sophomore outside hitter Lexie Bradley.

The Lions led for most of the second set, but the Blazers stormed back to tie the set 19-19. With help from a key kill by Bradley and few errors by Valdosta State, UNA rallied to win the set 25-22.

UNA took total control of the Blazers in the final set, winning 25-13 to finish the match.

The win over the rival Blazers is a boost for UNA who takes on conference favorite West Florida on Saturday.

“(The win) is a huge confidence builder,” Bradley said. “Winning this game in a sweep of three is big for us tomorrow.”

UNA faces the Argonauts at 2 p.m. Saturday in Flowers Hall for a chance to move in to first place in the GSC.