GREENWOOD, S.C. – Rachel Machovec's match-high 16 kills helped lead Flagler College to a 3-1 (25-27, 25-15, 25-18, 25-16) win over Lander University in a Peach Belt Conference volleyball match Friday night at Finis Horne Arena.

"Our team showed great mental toughness after a lethargic first set, as we came out the rest of the way with intent and went after Lander," said head coach Matt Affolder. "Rachel was fantastic tonight in all phases of the game, most notably with her dominant physical play at the net." 

Flagler won its 13^th match in a row and improved to 18-3 overall and 8-0 in the Peach Belt. With the win, the Saints have clinched a share of their eighth conference regular season title and third in a row. Flagler needs to win one of its remaining two league matches to win the title outright. Lander fell to 10-12 overall and 1-7 in conference play.

"This is a great time of year for our squad as we have worked hard and positioned ourselves to achieve the goals we set out from the start," said Affolder. "This was our focus tonight as it was step one in locking up at least a share of the PBC regular season title. I like that we have specific targets in front of us and it is going to be exciting to see our team battle each match." 

Machovec finished with a .414 hitting percentage as she only had four errors on 29 swings. She also had eight digs and three aces. Logan Garcia added eight kills, hit. 412, and recorded five total blocks. Kennedy Muff tallied 36 assists and collected nine digs. Edie Lamoreaux finished with a match-high 22 digs.

"Kennedy as well impacted every aspect of the game and created some great swing opportunities for our hitters on tough passes/digs, while causing Lander's passers major problems with her serve," said Affolder. "And it was wonderful to see Logan back in the starting lineup having the same big physical presence we have seen all year long." 

Olivia Dow led the Bearcats with 12 kills. Madilyn Reed recorded a double-double with 20 assists and 10 digs.

In the first set, Lander opened on a 6-2 spurt, but Flagler rallied to tie the score at 17 after a Bearcat hitting error. The Saints fought off two set points, but a service error and a hitting error gave the Bearcats the win.

A 7-2 run by the Saints in the second set was all they would need in a 25-15 win. Flagler had kills from four different players in the spurt. The Saints hit .306 and Machovec had five of the team's 16 kills.

Flagler closed the third set on a 9-2 run to win, 25-18. Machovec racked up five of the team's 13 kills. The Bearcats were limited to a .033 hitting percentage.

In the fourth set, Lander hit -.042 with eight kills and nine errors on 24 swings. Garcia had three total blocks for the Saints.

Up next for Flagler is a match with region rival Wingate University tomorrow at 2 p.m.      

"We know Wingate has a tremendous squad and a great home court environment, and we will get prepared tonight for an incredible opportunity tomorrow," said Affolder.

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