AU volleyball sweeps past Lenoir-Rhyne in SE Regional quarterfinals
By J.Ben Haynes | Sports writer
WINGATE, N.C—The Augusta University volleyball team dominated the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in the opening round of Southeast Regional by a score of 3-0 on Friday, Dec. 6, at Wingate University.
The Jaguars (21-7) won the three sets by scores of 25-11, 25-18, 25-14 to advance to the regional semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at Cuddy Arena.
Senior outside hitter Sophia Kruczko was dominant for Augusta, as the Cary, N.C., product finished with nine kills on a .692 attack percentage.
Graduate student middle hitter Madelyn Eden was also a force offensively for the Jaguars, logging nine kills on a .381 attack percentage.
The Jaguars played with a sense of urgency in the quarterfinal match.
“We were leaving it all out on the court because we have nothing to lose,” said AU senior right side Marin Freeland. “This could be my last time playing volleyball.”
Augusta’s defense proved to be too much for the Bears, as six Jaguars combined for 18 block assists to go along with senior libero Rylie Harris’ team-high 18 digs.
“I think we closed the blocks well tonight,” said Jaguar middle hitter Jada Suguturaga. “We were defensively strong.”
Janvier Buggs and Marah Zenner evenly split 28 assists for Augusta. Mia Saavedra chipped in eight kills for the winners.
Zenner had six service aces, and Buggs, who finished with 11 digs, added two aces of her own.
The Jaguars had 40 kills, compared to 27 for the Bears (25-7). Augusta hit at an outstanding .383 clip and held Lenoir-Rhyne to a .113 night.
Averie Dale led the Bears with six kills, and Rachel Wildermuth had 20 assists for L-R.
Next up for AU will be top-seeded and host Wingate (29-2), which defeated No. 8 Converse (23-10) in four sets.
Lander (21-5) will take on Flagler (15-10) in the other semifinal at 4 p.m. The Bearcats were the regular-season Peach Belt Conference champion, and the Saints won the PBC Tournament final over AU.
The region final will be Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. at Cuddy Arena on the Wingate campus.
Contact J.Ben Haynes at jamhaynes@augusta.edu.
AU outside hitter Marin Freeland (18) goes on the attack in the Jaguars’ straight-sets win over Lenoir-Rhyne in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. Freeland hit at a .500 clip in the win over the Bears. (photo by Domonic Macias/special to the Bell Ringer) At the top of the page, senior libero Riley Harris (3) led the Augusta defensive effort with 18 digs. (photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics)
AU setter Janvier Buggs (21) looks to set up teammate Madelyn Eden (15), who had nine kills and five blocks in the quarterfinals. Buggs had 14 assists in the Jaguars’ straight-sets sweep of Lenoir-Rhyne. (photo by Domonic Macias/special to the Bell Ringer.)
