MACON, Ga. – The Flagler College volleyball team traveled to Middle Georgia State University for a Peach Belt Conference matchup Friday night at the Volleyball Gym. The Saints swept the Knights 3-0, winning 25-14, 25-10, 25-14. With the victory, Flagler secured a share of the Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship.
QUOTES FROM COACH
"We had to make some adjustments to our lineup this evening due to illness on the team. We had two days to implement the changes, and I'm proud of our team for embracing those changes and fulfilling their assignments to the best of their ability. I think it shows the caliber of players we have on our roster."
Jeff Reynolds stated.
"It's nice to get another road win and to get us one step closer to fulfilling one of our team goals." Reynolds added.
"We're excited to host the Peach Belt Tournament against this season. We've worked really hard to earn this opportunity. St. Augustine is such a great city and we're excited to welcome the league back Northeast Florida." Reynolds ended
Flagler vs. Middle Georgia
Score: Flagler 3, Middle Georgia 0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-14)
Location: Macon, Ga. (Volleyball Gym)
Records: Flagler (22-3, PBC 11-0), Middle Georgia (3-26, PBC 0-11)
OPENING VOLLEY
- Marley Middlebrooks recorded a team-high nine kills and 10 digs. Middlebrooks also added one assist and ace for 10 points.
- Freshman outside hitters Mar'ley Phillips and Gia Lowe combined for 14 kills. Phillips recorded a .400 hitting percentage, three aces and three digs, while Lowe added a dig.
- Gracie Fleming followed with eight kills, one assist, one dig and one block. Jolie Trudeau contributed six kills, two digs and two blocks.
- Bella Law and Jilly Young directed the offense at setter. Young recorded 21 assists, two aces and two digs, while Law added 13 assists, four kills and four digs.
- Caity Clancy anchored the defense with a team-high 17 digs at libero while adding one assist.
THE DIFFERENCE
- Flagler established control early in the first set, building an 8-2 advantage behind kills from Fleming and Lowe and an ace from Young. After Middle Georgia cut the deficit to 9-6, the Saints responded with a seven-point run, highlighted by kills from Phillips, Middlebrooks and Fleming, to extend the lead to 16-6. Flagler maintained the advantage of taking the opening set 25-14.
- The Saints carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to an 8-3 lead. Flagler continued to apply pressure, using a combination of strong attacking and smart defensive play to build a 16-5 advantage. Kills from Trudeau, Fleming and Phillips helped the Saints maintain control before closing out the set with a commanding 25-10 victory.
- The Knights kept the third set competitive early, with the teams tied 6-6. However, Flagler responded with a 7-0 scoring run to take a 13-6 lead. The Saints continued to capitalize on their offensive opportunities, extending the advantage to 20-12 before Trudeau delivered the match-clinching kill to secure the 25-14 set victory and complete the sweep.
NOTABLES
- Junior Emmi Cheek reached the 1,000-career-digs milestone during Friday night's match.
- "I was with Emmi when she recorded her first dig at Lander University a couple years ago. It was great to see her reach such a great milestone tonight. She is such a great young lady, works hard, and is a great example of what commitment looks like in a student-athlete." Reynolds commented on Cheek's accomplishment.
- Flagler improved to 23-3 overall and remains undefeated with a Peach Belt Conference record of 12-0.
- The Saints finished with 41 kills, 54 digs and seven service aces with a .221 hitting percentage, while limiting the Knights to 14 kills and a -.051 hitting percentage.
COMING UP
The Saints will return to action Saturday, Oct. 31, against Middle Georgia State University for another Peach Belt Conference match up. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Volleyball Gym.
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