AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Flagler College volleyball traveled to Augusta University to play in a Peach Belt Conference matchup Friday night at Christenberry Fieldhouse. After going down two sets, the Saints battled through and won the deciding set over the Jaguars, 23-25, 24-26, 25-18, 25-18, 16-14.
QUOTES FROM COACH
"Good teams find a way to overcome adversity. The first two sets could not have been more even. We just came up short. We struggled passing and allowed their serve game to make the difference, which created a pretty big pit to climb out of. But, like I said, good teams find away."
Jeff Reynolds commented.
" We made some lineup adjustments in that third set that helped address some of our issues, and it made all the difference the rest of the way. I'm just so proud of this team for looking past the adversity and focusing on the process, not the result." Reynolds ended
Flagler vs. Augusta
Score: Flagler 3, Augusta 2 (23-25, 24-26, 25-18, 25-18, 16-14)
Location: Augusta, Ga. (Christenberry Fieldhouse)
Records: Flagler (21-3, PBC 10-0), Augusta (8-15, PBC 5-5)
OPENING VOLLEY
- Marley Middlebrooks recorded her 19th double-double of the season, finishing with 20 kills and 22 digs. Middlebrooks tallied two assists and four block for 22 points.
- Gia Lowe generated 16 kills, three digs, an assist and a block for 16.5 points. Katherine Rank posted 12 kills, one dig and two blocks for 13 points.
- Gracie Fleming and Mar'ley Phillips contributed a total 12 kills. Fleming posted eight blocks and five kills for 9.5 points, while Phillips recorded 11 digs, three aces and one block for 10.5 points.
- Bella Law and Jilly Young were a strong team at setter. Law contributed 35 assists, five kills, two aces, nine digs and three blocks. Young added 18 assists, one kill and two digs.
- Caity Clancy and Emmi Cheek helped support the Saints' defense. Clancy recorded 11 digs with four assists and two aces, while Cheek added 15 digs and one assist.
THE DIFFERENCE
- Augusta edged Flagler in a closely contested opening set, 25-23, taking an early 1-0 lead in the match. The Saints remained competitive throughout but were unable to close out the set in the Jaguars favor.
- The Saints continued to battle in the second set, pushing the Jaguars to the limit before falling 26-24. Augusta took a two set advantage, putting Flagler in a difficult position.
- Facing a two-set deficit, Flagler responded with a stronger performance to win the third set, 25-18. The Saints found the rhythm and began the comeback, cutting Augusta's match led to 2-1.
- Flagler carried the momentum into the fourth set again defeating Augusta, 25-18. The Saints evened the match at two sets apiece forcing a deciding fifth set and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
- The Saints and Jaguars battled through a tight final set, 16-14. Flagler and Augusta recording eight kills each, but Flagler's defense and blocking help limit Augusta to a .103 hitting percentage. The Saints ultimately prevailed, completing the comeback after dropping the first two sets.
NOTABLES
- Flagler improved to 21-3 overall and 10-0 in Peach Belt Conference play.
- Saints finished with 66 kills, 89 digs and a .238 hitting percentage, while holding the Jaguars to a .186 hitting percentage.
COMING UP
The Saints will play Augusta University again tomorrow, October 24th at 1 p.m. in the Christenberry Fieldhouse.
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