AIKEN, S. C. – The Flagler volleyball team returned to USCA for a Peach Belt Conference matchup Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center. The Saints extended their win streak to 17 consecutive matches with an impressive five-set comeback victory over the Pacers, winning 21-25, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 15-12.
QUOTES FROM COACH
"It's so difficult to play teams three times during the season. Records don't matter, past wins don't matter, none of that matters."
Jeff Reynolds starts. "So, to come in here and beat Aiken for the third time this season is big, actually. And to have to come from two sets down, I just can't even tell you how big this win is for our program." Reynolds adds.
"We got off to a slow start today for whatever reasons. We had to make some changes and call a couple timeouts before we finally started to roll." Reynolds said. "I'm just so proud of our team. They displayed such a high level of poise and grit." Reynolds ended.
Flagler vs. USCA
Score: Flagler 3, USCA 2 (21-25, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 15-12)
Location: Aiken, S.C. (Convocation Center)
Records: Flagler (18-2) PBC (7-0), USCA (12-5) PBC (4-3)
OPENING VOLLEY
- Marley Middlebrooks recorded her 15th double-double of the season, finishing with 25 kills and 15 digs. Middlebrooks tallied three aces and one block for 28.5 points.
- Freshman Gia Lowe and senior Katherine Rank each produced 12 kills. Lowe added one assist and three digs, while Rank posted a second season-high hitting percentage of .556 and two blocks.
- Jolie Trudeau made a huge significant impact for the Saints, recording a season-high .474 hitting percentage. Trudeau finished with 10 kills, three assists, one ace and seven digs.
- Gracie Fleming tallied seven kills with a .313 hitting percentage and one dig.
- Jilly Young led the Saints' offense at setter with 52 assists. Young also contributed one kill, one ace and nine digs.
- Caity Clancy recorded four aces and seven assists while anchoring the defense with 15 digs.
THE DIFFERENCE
- In the opening set, both teams traded points until the Pacers tied the score 4-4. The Saints responded with a three-point run to take the lead 7-4. The teams continued to battle back and forth, with the Saints holding a 16-14 advantage, before the Pacers took control with a four-point run to go ahead 18-16. Flagler battled back to tie the set at 20-20 on a kill by Lowe, but the Pacers scored five of the six final points to take the opening set 25-21.
- USCA came out strong in the second set, quickly building a 5-2 lead before using a 5-1 run to extend the advantage 10-3. Flagler answered with a 7-1 run to cut the deficit 10-11. However, USCA answered with a 5-2 run to take a 16-12 lead. The Saints battled back, winning eight of the next 13 points to close the gap 20-21. Both teams continued to trade points until Flagler tied the set 23-23, but USCA secured the final two points to win the set, 25-23.
- In the third set, USCA carried the momentum forward, taking an early 4-1 lead. The Saints responded with an 11-2 run to seize control and build a 12-6 advantage. Flagler continued to apply pressure, extending the lead to 19-10 with a 7-4 run. After both teams traded points to reach 23-13, the Pacers attempted to rally with three consecutive points. Trudeau ended the set with a kill to give the Saints a 25-16 victory and keep the match alive.
- The Pacers built a 16-8 lead in the fourth set, but Flagler responded with a six-point run to cut the deficit t o14-16. The Saints continued to apply pressure, using a 4-1 run to take an 18-17 lead. USCA tied the set 18-18, setting up a close finish. Flagler scored six of the next 1- points to take a 24-22 advantage before Trudeau delivered a crucial kill to secure a 25-22 victory and force a decisive fifth set.
- The Saints fell behind early in the fifth set, with the Pacers taking a 6-2 lead. Following a timeout, Flagler responded with eight unanswered points to take an 8-6 advantage. The Saints maintained the momentum with a 5-3 run to extend the lead to 13-9. USCA attempted a late comeback, scoring three of the next four points to cut the deficit 12-14. However, Trudeau once against delivered the decisive kill, sealing the 15-12 set victory and completing the Saints' comeback.
NOTABLES
- This afternoon's victory extended Flagler's winning streak to 17 consecutive matches, keeping the Saints fourth in program history for the longest winning streak. Flagler remains second among active winning streaks in NCAA Division II.
- Flagler is now 6-0 this season for five-set matches this season.
- The Saints remain in first place in the Peach Belt Conference standings, holding a three-match lead.
COMING UP
The Saints will return home to Flagler Gymnasium to host Georgia College & State University on Friday, October 16
th at 6 p.m.
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