AU volleyball bounces back with two wins to finish off opening weekend

By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor

AIKEN, S.C.—The Augusta University volleyball team won both of their matches at the Pacer Invitational on Saturday, Sept 4., at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

AU’s first match was against North Greenville University, and the Jaguars would lose the first set 25-23. 

Unlike Friday’s matches, the Jags would bounce back and win the second set 25-20. AU went on to dominate the next two sets and won the match in four sets. AU took the last two sets by scores of 25-15 and 25-16. 

The Jaguars had nine aces in the match compared to the Crusaders 2. Junior Alyssa Dutton led AU with 14 individual kills. Seniors Alyssa Frazier and Kylie Martin were also effective on the offensive end with 12 and 10 kills. 

Erin Allen for North Greenville led both teams with a total of 15 individual kills. 

AU’s final match of the weekend was against Lincoln Memorial University. The Jaguars started out the match strong, winning the first set by a score of 25-17. 

The second set would be a back-and-forth battle, but the Jags would win the second set as well, this time by a score of 25-23. AU dominated and won the match in three sets, winning the final set 25-11. 

Martin led the Jags with 12 kills, 15 digs, and 12 total points. AU once again dominated with the serves, finishing with a team total of 10 aces. 

The Jaguars return to the USC Aiken Convocation Center again next weekend on Sept. 10-11. Augusta (2-2, 0-0) will play Belmont Abbey (0-4, 0-0) on Friday, Sept 10., in the first of four matches on the second weekend of the 2021 season. 

Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.

Photograph: At the top of the page, AU’s Kiera Barr (5) and Holland Martin (14) watch as Kylie Martin prepares to hit the ball. (photo by Chris Rickerson)