Box Score ST. AUGUSTINE – Genel Sturgeon recorded a match-high 12 kills and hit .370 on 27 swings to help the Flagler College volleyball team pick up its first win in Peach Belt Conference action with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-17) sweep over UNC Pembroke in the PBC volleyball opener for both sides Sunday afternoon inside the Flagler Gymnasium.

Flagler improved to 3-2 (1-0 PBC), while the Lady Braves fall to 1-4 (0-1) on the season. The Saints have never lost to UNCP, improving to 12-0 all-time against their PBC foe.

"We started a little slow, and I thought Pembroke was being more physical than we were. So we challenged the team to play like we thought they were capable of. We had a different mentality from the service line and I think our attackers acted a little more physical with their play," said Flagler head coach Matt Affolder. "That's the team we want to be, that's who we're trying to become."

Sturgeon led all hitters with 12 kills, while Sara Davis added another 10 kills for the Flagler offense. As a team the Saints hit .348 for the match with 41 kills on 89 swings. Ashley Lechleidner-Rodriguez led the defense with 10 digs and Amelia Morgan dished out a match-high 32 assists. Davis tallied three service aces and Taja Valmyr added another two aces for the Saints.

"Genel had a really good weekend, she's done some good things during this opening weekend. She's showed a lot of energy brought a lot to the team," said Affolder. "Sara is just Sara, she may be a freshman but she doesn't know anything other than go. She's going to be physical and go after people, she just does things with a strong physical nature."

After a close first set, the Saints dominated the final two sets, giving up their lead just twice in the second frame and leading the entire way in the final stanza.

Jada Vernon led the way for the UNCP attack with six kills, while Mallory Davis, Caroline Pridgen and Nicole Matthews chipped five kills apiece. Sabrina Matthews controlled the tempo with 20 assists, while Danielle Brown added a team-best nine digs.

Flagler will return to the court on Friday (Sept. 12) when the squad travels to Greenville, Tenn. For the Pioneer Classic at Tusculum College. The Saints will face the host, Tusculum at 12 p.m. and then take on King at 5 p.m.