ST. AUGUSTINE – The Flagler volleyball team returned home Friday night for a Peach Belt Conference matchup against Georgia College & State University at Flagler Gymnasium. The Saints extended their winning streak to 18 consecutive matches with an exciting 3-0 sweep over the Bobcats, winning 25-15, 25-18, 25-21.
QUOTES FROM COACH
"Georgia College has been on a roll so we had to make sure we executed our game plan at a high level tonight.For the most part I felt like we were able to do that. We had some service issues that we need to address, but good teams find ways to pick up the slack."
Jeff Reynolds said.
"It's always tough to play a team three times, so we will have to remain focused through our match on Saturday and find a way to take care of business." Reynolds added.
Flagler vs. Georgia College
Score: Flagler 3, Georgia College 0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-21)
Location: St. Augustine, Fla. (Flagler Gymnasium)
Records: Flagler (19-2) PBC (8-0), Georgia College (7-17) PBC (3-5)
OPENING VOLLEY
- Marley Middlebrooks recorded her 16th double-double of the season, finishing with 17 kills and 13 digs. Middlebrooks tallied two aces and one block for 19.5 points.
- Gia Lowe generated her third-highest hitting percentage of the season at .579, finishing with 11 kills without an error. Lowe added three digs and one block for 11.5 points. Katherine Rank contributed 10 kills at a .474 hitting percentage and added one block.
- Senior Gracie Fleming and freshman Mar'ley Phillips combined for 13 kills. Fleming recorded four blocks, two assists and two digs, while Phillips generated two digs and one block.
- Bella Law directed the Saints' offense at setter, recording a season-high 40 assists. Law also contributed a season-high four kills and nine digs.
- Jolie Trudeau, Amelia Fitzpatick and Caity Clancy anchored the Saints' defense. Trudeau finished with 13 digs along, two kills and one assist. Fitzpatrick added 11 digs and two assists, while Clancy recorded eight digs, three assists and two aces
THE DIFFERENCE
- After falling behind early in the opening set, Flagler traded points with Georgia College before taking a 9-8 lead. The Saints then went on a 9-2 point run to extend the advantage to 18-10. The Bobcats attempted to close the gap, but the Saints maintained control and finished the set with a 7-5 run, capped by a kill from Middlebrooks, to secure a 25-15 victory.
- The teams traded points early in the second set before Georgia College used a four-point run to take an 11-8 lead. Flagler battled back to even the score at 14-14 before putting together a 7-1 run to take a 21-15 advance. The Saints closed out the set by scoring four of the final seven points, with Phillips delivering a key block to seal the 25-18 win.
- Georgia College jumped out to a 7-3 lead to open the third set, but Flagler powered through the pressure and went on at 7-2 run to take a 10-9 advantage. The Bobcats continued to battle and used a four-point run late in the set to cut the deficit to 19-18. The Saints held their ground down the stretch, capitalizing on key kills and a Bobcats error before Middlebrooks delivered an ace to clinch the set, 25-21, and complete the sweep.
NOTABLES
- Flagler extended the winning streak to 18 consecutive matches, maintaining its position fourth in program history for the longest winning streak. The Saints also remained second among active winning streaks in NCAA Division II.
- The Saints extend their home winning streak to 19 consecutive matches, dating back to last season.
- Flagler remained atop the Peach Belt Conference standings with an undefeated 8-0 conference record and a three-match lead.
COMING UP
The Saints will return to Flagler Gymnasium on Saturday, October 16
th at 1 p.m. to host Georgia College & State University in another Peach Belt Conference matchup.
CONNECT WITH THE SAINTS: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube
DOWNLOAD TEAM SCHEDULES: Download Center
FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE SAINTS TEAM: Sign up for Newsletter
