HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The UAH volleyball team opened up conference play Friday evening, falling in an exciting five-setter 3-2 to visiting Valdosta State. The Lady Chargers fall to 4-9 (0-1 Gulf South Conference) while VSU improves to 9-4 (1-0 GSC).

Dominating the game's first set, the Blue and White roared out with a 25-14 win as UAH outhit the guests .200 to .000 in the first set with the Lady Blazers committing eight errors in the frame. The second set was a closer affair as UAH won the attack percentage battle .242-.229, but VSU managed to take the stanza by a score of 25-19.

The third and fourth sets saw identical scores of 25-18 with UAH taking the third and the guests taking the fourth to force the decisive frame.

The fifth was tight as neither team enjoyed more than a two-point advantage, and the set featured eight ties. The last came at 12-12 following a Kelly Wilson kill. Following that point and a Lady Blazer timeout, VSU rolled off two consecutive points to give itself match point. UAH fought it off as Jessica Ruple picked up the last of her team-high 16 kills, but Katie Onushko ended the match with her 14th put-away of the night to produce the 3-2 final.

For the match, the Lady Chargers outhit their opponent .255 to .183, but they also committed 12 service errors compared to just five for Valdosta State – a significant difference in the close contest.

Ruple picked up her second consecutive double-double as she added 10 digs to go along with the 16 kills. She was joined in double figures in successful attacks by Angela Thurmond, Kelsey Williams and Carrie Brown who recorded 12, 11, and 10 respectively. Wilson finished the night with 47 assists.

Defensively, Shelby League added 10 digs to join Ruple at one shy of the team-best mark set by Wilson's 11.

The Lady Chargers will have the chance to immediately bounce back from the tough setback when they host West Georgia on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside Spragins Hall.