AIKEN, S.C. – Taja Valmyr's season-high 15 kills was not enough as Flagler College fell to the University of South Carolina Aiken 3-2 (25-18, 24-26, 25-16, 17-25, 15-9) in a Peach Belt Conference volleyball match Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

USC Aiken extended its winning streak to eight matches and improved to 17-3 overall and 6-3 in the Peach Belt. Flagler fell to 13-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play.

Sara Davis was limited to eight kills and a .174 hitting percentage this afternoon. She came into the contest averaging close to 14 kills per match. Caitlyn Kovach collected 20 digs while Tara Savisky recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 32 assists and 12 digs.

Julia Forster led a balanced offensive attack for USC Aiken with 15 kills and she added nine digs. Ashley Diedrich contributed 12 kills, eight digs and four total blocks while Taylor Stratton chipped in with 11 kills and hit .350. Katie Toman collected a match-high 27 digs and Alicia Hines tacked on seven kills, hit .438 and also had five total blocks.

The Saints raced out to a 17-4 lead in the fourth set and withstood a rally by the Pacers to win 25-17 and force a fifth and deciding set.
 
In that fifth set, Flagler held a 4-1 lead, but USC Aiken went on a 9-1 run which was capped by a hitting error by Megan Hooks prompting a Flagler timeout. The Saints could not get any closer than four points.

Flagler will have another weekend road trip next week. The Saints open by playing at Francis Marion University on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Flagler will look to avenge one of its two losses this year at home.