Box Score Box score

WINGATE, N.C. − Justine Burkhardt (St. Augustine, Fla./Winthrop U.) recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 16 kills and 17 digs to go along with a .295 hitting percentage to help No. 2 seed Flagler College to a 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 25-16) over No. 3 seed Armstrong Atlantic State University in the first semifinal of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Saturday afternoon at Cuddy Arena.

Flagler (34-8) advances to the regional final, the “Sweet 16,” where it will face No. 1 seed Wingate University (36-1) tomorrow (Nov. 22) at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the “Elite Eight” at a site to be determined later. Wingate defeated Flagler 3-2 earlier this season in a tournament in Savannah, Ga.

Armstrong Atlantic State concluded its season with a 27-10 record.

Meg Weathersby (Maitland, Fla./Orangewood Christian) led the offensive attack for the Saints with a match-high 18 kills and added 12 digs for her 12th double-double of the season. She hit .357 for the match – only committing three errors on 42 swings. Weathersby also recorded seven total blocks. Katie Beale (Stuart, Fla./Martin County HS) notched her 20th double-double with 15 kills and 10 digs. Olivia Snipes (Easley, S.C./Easley HS) tallied 27 assists and Rebecca Royal (Green Cove Springs, Fla./Fleming Island HS) added 23 more to go along with five total blocks. Casey Gnann (Boca Raton, Fla./Spanish River HS) paced the defense with a match-high 24 digs.

Torrie Bevolo led the Pirates with 15 kills and 19 digs. Brendyce Budd and Michele Remlinger each recorded 10 kills. Casey Howett led the defense with 20 digs while Kristin Standhardinger tallied 41 assists.

Flagler broke open a 10-all tie in the first set by running off four straight points and never trailed. Both Beale and Weathersby recorded two kills and the run which prompted an AASU timeout. The Pirates closed to within two (18-16) and then fought off three set points before Weathersby closed it with a kill.

In the second set, Armstrong Atlantic hit .273 and limited Flagler to a .122 percentage. The Saints held an 18-15 lead, but the Pirates rattled off four straight points to take a 19-18 lead behind a pair of kills by Bevolo. A Weathersby kill would tie the set at 19, but Bevolo put AASU back on top for good 20-19 en route to a 25-20 win.

In the third set, Flagler trailed early 9-7. The Saints went on to score the next five points aided by three Pirate miscues. Flagler was able to fend off Armstrong Atlantic to win 25-21.

In the fourth and final set, the Saints hit a robust .321 with 11 kills and only two errors on 28 swings. Flagler broke open an 8-all tie with three consecutive points which included a service ace by Burkhardt. Flagler's front row recorded four blocks in the set including three late in the set.


Flagler def. Armstrong Atlantic 25-21,20-25,25-21,25-16

Armstrong Atlantic (27-10) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Bevolo, Torrie
15-1-1; Remlinger, Michele 10-0-3; Budd, Brendyce 10-0-1;
Standhardinger, Kath 8-0-2; Birkemeier, Amy 4-0-2; Standhardinger,
Kris 2-0-0; Totals 49-1-5.0. (Assists) - Standhardinger, Kris 41. (Dig
leaders) - Howett, Casey 20; Bevolo, Torrie 19; Yates, Nicole 10;
Edgeworth, Natalie 9; Birkemeier, Amy 8; Standhardinger, Kris 8

Flagler (34-8) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Weathersby, Meg 18-3-7;
Burkhardt, Justine 16-2-0; Beale, Katie 15-0-1; Stacy, Rachel 4-0-3;
Hendrian, Becky 1-0-2; Royal, Rebecca 0-0-5; Snipes, Olivia 0-2-1;
Totals 54-7-11.0. (Assists) - Snipes, Olivia 27; Royal, Rebecca 23.
(Dig leaders) - Gnann, Casey 24; Burkhardt, Justine 17; Weathersby,
Meg 12; Beale, Katie 10

Site: Wingate, N.C. (Cuddy Arena)
Date: Nov 21, 2009 Attend: 228 Time: 1:37
Referees: Keith Murless, De Batchelor
Flagler advances to Regional Finals Sunday at 7
NCAA Division II Southeast Regional semifinal
#2 Flagler vs. #3 Armstrong Atlantic