By Quinlan Hughes |Sports writerThe Augusta Jaguars defeated the Queens University Royals on Tuesday night, Oct. 15 in a non-conference volleyball match at Christenberry Fieldhouse.With the victory, AU's record improved to 16-4 overall (1-0 in the Peach Belt Conference), while the Royals' record dropped to 12-4 this season.“We had a solid weekend this weekend (at the regional crossovers), but once again we were isolating just the middles working on them and then the outsides," AU Coach Sharon Quarles said. "It just works out that way, and now tonight we put it together."On the offensive side, Nicolette Ramos led the way for the night with 19 kills and 20 points. Following her was Kylie Martin and Chloe Allen, who both had 11 kills. Then Madison Malloch totaled 10.Augusta's leading assist-maker was Payton Murchie, who had 34 assists, followed by Kassie Till with 19.On the defensive side, Holland Martin led in digs with 25, followed by Allen with 14, Murchie with 12 and Ramos with 10.AU's Ramos, Allen and Murchie all had double-doubles for the night.With this win Tuesday night, the Jaguars have achieved one of their seasonal goals.“We actually had our pin hitters, in addition to our middles, down and connecting, so the setters were connecting with both middles and pin hitters, and this is the first time all season long,” Quarles said.The win over Queens avenged a loss to the Royals in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 7.The Lady Jaguars hit the road on Oct. 18 to take on Lander University (2-1, 13-6) at 7 p.m. Then they play at arch-rival USC Aiken (3-0, 19-1) on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m.
Contact Quinlan Hughes at qhughes@augusta.edu.