Box Score LAKELAND – Taja Valmyr led a balanced scoring attack with a match-high 12 kills as Flagler College swept Nova Southeastern University 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-22) in its second match of the day in the FSC/Terrace Hotel Classic on Friday at the Jenkins Field House.

Flagler improved to 2-0 while Nova Southeastern dropped its season opener. The Saints have won the last three matches in a row in the series against their former Florida Sun Conference rivals.

"We really had to grind out all three sets against Nova Southeastern," said Flagler head coach Matt Affolder. "Taja had a really nice match, especially at the end of the third set where she picked it up. It was a great team effort today."

Valmyr hit an efficient .333 as she only had four errors on 24 swings. Genel Sturgeon added seven kills and four digs while Sara Davis and Ashley Cheewah each recorded five kills. Caitlyn Kovach led the defense with a team-high 13 digs and Amelia Morgan tallied 26 assists and six digs. Ashley Lechleidner-Rodriguez and Amber Peone each added eight digs.

As a team, the Saints hit .222 for the match with 36 kills and 12 errors on 108 swings.

Caitlin Donahue and Sydney Cook both recorded nine kills. Cook added 14 digs. Candice Johnson finished with a match-high 15 digs. Katie Pyles added 32 assists and eight digs for the Sharks.

The Saints hit .281 in the first set, but had to earn the win with eight ties and five lead changes.

Flagler will conclude the two-day tournament tomorrow (Sept. 6) with a match against Lewis University at 3 p.m. and then take on the host, Florida Southern College at 7 p.m.

Flagler def. Nova Southeastern 25-23,25-21,25-22
 
  Flagler (2-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Taja Valmyr 12-0-0; Genel Sturgeon
  7-3-1; Ashley Cheewah 5-0-1; Sara Davis 5-0-1; Jenea Reddick 4-0-0;
  Amelia Morgan 2-0-1; Rachel Bryant 1-0-0; Caitlyn Kovach 0-2-0; Totals
  36-5-2.0. (Assists) - Amelia Morgan 26. (Dig leaders) - Caitlyn Kovach
  13; Ashley Lechleidner 8; Amber Peone 8
 
  Nova Southeastern (0-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Sydney Cook 9-0-0;
  Caitlin Donahue 9-0-3; Dana Holger 8-0-0; Natalie Melcher 8-0-1; Katie
  Pyles 2-1-1; Devyn Main 1-0-0; Kaelyn Brock 0-1-0; Candice Johnson
  0-2-0; Totals 37-4-3.0. (Assists) - Katie Pyles 32. (Dig leaders) -
  Candice Johnson 15; Sydney Cook 14; Katie Pyles 8
 
  Site: Lakeland, Fla. (Jenkins Field House)
  Date: Sep 05, 2014   Attend: 61   Time: 1:25
  Referees: Gregg Latter, Albert Fields
  FSC/Terrace Hotel Classic