Valdosta State's Ashley Lala (24) sets the ball during a game against West Georgia Tuesday evening at The Complex.

Valdosta State’s volleyball team swept West Georgia in its Gulf South Conference opener Tuesday night at The Complex.

The Blazers (8-4) beat the Wolves 25-16, 25-19, 25-17.

“We wanted to get this first one,” Valdosta State head coach Sia Poyer said. “It’s great to get the win.”

Katie Onushko had a game-high 14 kills for the Blazers, as well as seven digs and five aces.

“We expect that from her, and she knows that,” Poyer said. “Even games we’ve lost, she’s still an offensive force.”

Ashley Lala, Valdosta State’s setter, had 33 assists and 20 digs. Lala was part of a strong defensive performance by the Blazers, along with libero Krista Bradford, who had 16 digs, and Macy Markham, who had 12 digs. They helped limit West Georgia to a .083 hitting percentage.

“From a defensive standpoint, we played well,” Poyer said.

In the first set, West Georgia jumped out to an early 8-4 lead. But VSU responded with five straight points and took the lead. A few minutes later, the Blazers won seven points in a row and built an 18-12 lead.

Valdosta State wound up getting 14 of the final 18 points, and won the first set 25-16.

In the second set, the teams traded points early on. Then, with West Georgia leading 10-9, Valdosta State suddenly caught fire again. The Blazers won the next nine points, grabbed an 18-10 lead and took control of the set. They won the second set 25-19.

Valdosta State fell behind 8-3 early in the third set, but battled back and tied the score at 9-9. Then the Blazers went on a 7-0 run, and turned a 13-11 deficit into an 18-13 lead, and never trailed again. VSU wound up taking 14 of the final 18 points, and closed out the match with a 25-17 third set victory.

Valdosta State’s Tania Tauiliili had eight kills, and Chelsea Logan and Jennifer Beatty added six. VSU had a .263 hitting percentage, which Poyer was very pleased with.

West Georgia’s Amanda Miller had 20 assists, while Emily Reul had nine kills.

The Blazers will go on the road later this week to face conference foes Alabama-Huntsville and West Alabama on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Valdosta State’s next match at The Complex will be against North Alabama on Sept. 30.