The 22nd-ranked Flagler volleyball team (4-0) is off to its best start since 2003 when it won its first 17 matches to open its regular season. Last weekend, the Saints rolled through the Carolinas Challenge losing just two sets and found some new players to help them as the season progresses. They also got a glimpse of what being the conference favorite is going to be like having escaped with a 3-2 win over USC Aiken.

Senior middle blocker Meg Weathersby led the team with 68 kills and added 32 digs. She stepped up in a big way during Flagler's second match of the season against USC Aiken. Weathersby had a career-high 27 kills and hit .351 for the match. She ranks second in the PBC in kills per set (4.86) and is eighth in hitting percentage (.323) Sophomore Rachel Stacy hit a blistering .481 with 14 kills during the Saints final two matches against regional-rival Wingate and Lees-McCrae. Stacy is seventh in the conference in hitting percentage (.327). Sophomore transfer Dianna Craine added 21 digs in her debut against Coker and USC Aiken. Setter Rebecca Royal totaled 99 assists and 11 blocks, including seven against USCA. Crystal Niederitter totaled 42 kills, including 18 against USCA. Casey Gnann turned in an outstanding performance with a combined 41 digs against Lees-McCrae and Wingate. She is fifth in the conference digs per set (4.21).

This coming weekend, Flagler will travel to Savannah, Ga., to take part in the AASU Pirate Volleyball Classic. On Friday Sept. 10, the Saints will take on Sunshine State Conference rival Rollins College (2-1). The Saints defeated the Tars last season in four sets. Rollins, picked to finish seventh in the SSC Preseason Poll, is led by Sarah Mendoza. A transfer from the University of Kentucky, Mendoza was an All-American selection in 2009 and an All-SEC selection in 2008. She closed out career with 1,097 kills and 693 digs.

Flagler's second match on Sept. 10 comes against West Georgia. The Wolves (2-2), picked to finish fifth in the Gulf South Conference East Division this year, are coming off two losses to Saginaw Valley and Pittsburgh State. Emily Reul, Mary Krueger and Ellie Murphy have been the biggest contributors so far this season. Reul and Krueger lead the Wolves in kills with 39 while Murphy has collected 80 digs.

On Saturday Sept. 11, the Saints will close the AASU Tournament with two matches against North Alabama and Florida Tech. North Alabama (1-2), a traditional power in the Gulf South Conference, lost its last match against Eckerd College. The Lions were picked to finish second in the GSC East Division. Middle blocker Sarah Roberts has a team-high 50 kills this season while defensive specialist Lauren Greenhill has collected 50 digs. Roberts was a first-team All-Gulf South and an AVCA All-America honorable selection last year. Cara Gregg was the GSC East Division Freshman of the Year in 2009 for North Alabama.

Flagler will conclude its weekend against in-state rival Florida Tech. The Saints were defeated by the Panthers in three sets in last year's season opener. Florida Tech (2-2) was defeated by the University of Missouri-St. Louis in four sets last weekend at the Comfort Inn-vitational. Florida Tech, picked to finish ninth in the SSC Preseason Poll, was led by Caitlyn Ballweber who tallied 44 kills. Ashley Bryant paced the way on defense with 92 digs. Ballweber was selected to the SSC All-Freshman team last season after leading Florida Tech in kills and points.