AU VB gets 18 kills from Kruczko, rallies for midweek win at UNCP
By J.Ben Haynes | Sports writer
The Augusta University volleyball team rallied from two sets down to get a fifth set victory over out-of-conference foe UNC Pembroke on Tuesday, Sept. 24, in Pembroke, N.C.
The Jaguars got out to a 21-17 lead in the first set, but the Braves roared back, going on an 8-2 run aided by four AU attack errors to win the first set 25-23.
UNCP carried that momentum into the second set, amassing a 17-12 lead that was too much for the Jaguars to overcome, as the set score was 25-20 in favor of the Braves.
With a 2-0 match lead, it seemed as if UNCP had total control, but Augusta had something to say about that by recapturing the momentum in set three.
Led by Sophia Kruczko’s six kills in the third set, the Jaguars brought the match score to 2-1 with a 25-22 victory in the third set.
The fourth set was much of the same, as Augusta won the set 25-20 aided by 12 UNCP errors and five kills from Layne Witherspoon.
In the deciding fifth set, the Jaguars took control early, taking a 10-4 lead, but the Braves rallied once again, going on a 9-2 run to take a 13-12 set lead.
The scoring run was to no avail though, as Augusta won the next three points on Marin Freeland kill and two UNCP attack errors to win the set 15-13 and complete the reverse sweep of the Braves.
Kruczko, the senior from Cary, N.C., was dominant offensively, totaling 18 kills on a .333 attack. Jada Suguturaga was also a force, finishing with 13 kills on a .344 kill percentage. Freeland and Witherspoon each had eight kills for the winners.
Janvier Buggs had 29 assists and 13 digs, while Guilia Rodrigues totaled 22 digs. Mikayla Kline had 14 digs and Rylie Harris 13 for the Jaguars.
Buggs, who had two aces, served out the match for AU.
Augusta (9-2) looks to carry this momentum into their two matches this weekend, as the Jaguars open conference play against Flagler College (4-6) at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 and face undefeated out-of-conference foe Lenoir-Rhyne (13-0) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.28.
Both matches will be played at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars’ Janvier Buggs (21) had 29 assists in the road win over UNC Pembroke. At the top of the page, Sophia Kruczko led the Jags with 18 kills on a .333 night. (photos by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)
