ST. AUGUSTINE – The Flagler volleyball team played Savannah State University tonight in a quick three-set sweep.
QUOTES FROM COACH
"It was nice to see our team put together a very solid match from start to finish."
Jeff Reynolds said. "We were able to play a number of players tonight, which was nice as we prepare for the conference season." Reynolds added.
"Tonight's win was huge for our program. To be 10-2 after our first twelve matches is a testament to just how committed this team is to our common vision." Reynolds continued. "I believe that when you work cooperatively towards a vision, and everyone works to defend our standards, great things will continue to happen." Reynolds added.
Flagler vs. Savannah State
Score: Flagler 3, Savannah State 0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-12)
Location: St. Augustine, Florida (Flagler Gymnasium)
Records: Flagler (10-2), Savannah State (1-6)
The Short Story: The Saints grabbed a quick three set win over the Lady Tigers to make the best start through the first 12 games in 22 years.
OPENING VOLLEY
- Marley Middlebrooks lead the Saints to their undefeated win tonight with another double-double of 12 kills and 10 digs. She finished the night with a .588 hitting percentage with four aces and 16.5 points.
- Katherine Rank assisted in the win with 11 kills and a season-high .714 hitting-percentage. She also made three blocks.
- Gia Lowe adds nine kills to her resume for a .615 hitting percentage and three blocks for 10.5 points.
- Rookies Jilly Young and Bella Law split time today. Law demands the offense with 18 assists, one dig and a lone kill. Young killed it today with 14 assists. Hailey Trebbien made her debut tonight at setter where she made six assists, one ace and two digs.
- Mar'ley Phillips helped with six kills for a .500 hitting percentage. Had two aces and one dig.
THE DIFFERENCE
- The Lady Tigers showed grit early on in set one with staying on the Saints tails going point-for-point. It wasn't until a 7-1 point run with three kills, an ace and three Lady Tiger attacking errors, so the Saints were able to get a bigger gap of 17-10. The Lady Tigers fought hard but not enough to keep the Saints way with an unanswered five point run to take set one 25-12.
- Middlebrooks served five rallies in a row to help the Saints get ahead 7-1 in the second frame. The Lady Tigers tried to make their way back, but the Saints blew past them with a 5-1 run of four kills and a block assist by Rank and Lowe to make it 20-11. The Saints finished the frame with a kill and two Lady Tiger attacking errors to win 25-16.
- Set three was a little back-and-forth in the beginning with the Lady Tigers taking the lead 3-2. Soon the Saints were able to jump to huge lead of 10-6 from two kills, an ace and service error from the Lady Tigers. The Saints were able to stay in the driver's seat through the whole game, ending on a Rank kill to take the sweep of 25-12.
NOTABLES
- With this win, the Saints are off to their best start of the season through the first 12 games since 2004.
COMING UP
The Saints will be at home for their conference opener against USCA on Friday, September 18
th at 6 p.m. in the Flagler Gymnasium.
