Box Score LAKELAND – Genel Sturgeon recorded a double-double (15 kills and 21 digs) to help lead Flagler College to a 3-2 (21-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-15, 15-12) victory over the University of New Haven in a season opening volleyball match for both teams Friday afternoon at the FSC/Terrace Hotel Classic at the Jenkins Field House.

With the win, Flagler has racked up five consecutive season opening victories.

Sturgeon hit .279 on 43 swings to lead the Saints attack. Freshman Sara Davis recorded 13 kills and added four aces in her first collegiate match. Ashley Cheewah added 10 kills, hit .304 and racked up eight total blocks. Amelia Morgan notched her first double-double of the season with 44 assists and 13 digs. She also added four total blocks. Caitlyn Kovach added 16 digs and four aces.

"We didn't know much about the opponent," said first-year head coach Matt Affolder. "We were just trying to figure things out. This is a new team with a new style.

"Genel managed very well today," Affolder added. "Sara had some big moments, especially attacking, in her collegiate debut."

The Saints hit .184 for the match, but broke out in the fourth set by hitting a sizzling .394 with 15 kills and two errors on 33 swings to dominate the set. Flagler defense held New Haven to a .086 hitting percentage. The Saints collected 11.0 total team blocks.  

Kristy Atufunwa led the Chargers with a match-high 16 kills and hit .378 on 37 swings. Kristen Lee and Kea-Marie Olaso each collected 25 digs. Kaulana Ane recorded a double-double with 36 assists and 13 digs.

Flagler takes on Nova Southeastern University at 5 p.m. this afternoon.

Flagler def. New Haven 21-25,25-22,22-25,25-15,15-12
 
  Flagler (1-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Genel Sturgeon 15-0-2; Sara Davis
  13-4-2; Ashley Cheewah 10-0-8; Taja Valmyr 7-0-1; Jenea Reddick 5-0-3;
  Amelia Morgan 4-1-4; Caitlyn Kovach 1-4-0; Ashley Lechleidner 0-2-0;
  Totals 55-11-11.0. (Assists) - Amelia Morgan 44. (Dig leaders) - Genel
  Sturgeon 21; Caitlyn Kovach 16; Amelia Morgan 13; Amber Peone 10;
  Ashley Lechleidner 10
 
  New Haven (0-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kristy Atufunwa 16-0-3; Kristen
  Lee 7-1-0; Alex Bussey 6-0-0; Hayley Wilson 5-0-0; Meghan Kennelly
  5-0-0; Kaulana Ane 4-1-2; Margo Meteyer 4-0-0; Annika Hacker 0-2-0;
  Kea-Marie Olaso 0-1-0; Totals 47-5-3.0. (Assists) - Kaulana Ane 36.
  (Dig leaders) - Kristen Lee 25; Kea-Marie Olaso 25; Kaulana Ane 13;
  Annika Hacker 11; Margo Meteyer 9
 
  Site: Lakeland, Fla. (Jenkins Field House)
  Date: Sep 05, 2014   Attend: 53   Time: 2:07
  Referees: Albert Fields, Gregg Latter
  FSC/Terrace Hotel Classic