Courtesy of VSU Athletics Dept.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta State junior setter Tammy Reyes Perez and Blazer football sophomore defensive back Aaron Dawson were named the Steel’s Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week, announced Wednesday afternoon. This is the first weekly honor for each.

Dawson, a native of Cross City, Fla., earned his first Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor as he had his first interception return for a score on an 80-yard return in the fourth quarter of the 44-27 victory over then-No. 20 West Alabama on Saturday.  

UWA was driving and Dawson stepped in front of the pass and had a clear 80 yards for the score.  It marked his second career touchdown as he had an 88-yard fumble return for a score last season at Florida Tech.  Dawson finished the game with five total tackles and four solo stops, while recording the INT and assisted on one tackle for loss.

Reyes Perez, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, had a great week helping the Blazers to a 4-1 record and a 3-1 mark at the Pacer Invitational.  She recorded two double-doubles with 131 total assists for an 8.73 average per set, while recording 24 kills in 52 swings for a .365 percentage.  She had four aces with 46 digs and assisted on two blocks.  Reyes Perez had 32 assists and 11 digs in the win over Converse and followed that performance up with 24 assists and 10 digs against UNC Pembroke.

The Blazer football team heads on the road at Shorter on Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.  Fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com on the football schedule page.  

The VSU volleyball team opens the 2019 home GSC slate Friday at 6 p.m. at The Complex versus Lee University.  Fans can access links to the match at vstateblazers.com on the volleyball schedule page.