Augusta, Lander to meet for the fourth time, for the PBC tourney crown
By Domonic Macias | Sports writer
The Augusta Jaguars defeated Flager University in the first semifinal Peach Belt Conference match on Friday, Nov. 17, marking Coach Sharon Quarles' 300th Augusta Home win.
The Jaguars came out of the blocks hot in their first set against the Saints leading at the halfway point 21-9. The Jaguars were led offensively by Savannah Davis and Sophia Kruczko with 10 kills collectively. AU needed the stellar offensive play of Davis and Kruczko because the Saints (8-19) focused on Peach Belt player of the year Jazmyn Wheeler.
“They were able to contain Jazmyn,” said AU’s Quarles. “We realized that we need other people to step up and it's just not on one player. Ally Thees was definitely one of those players.”
The Jaguars and Saints traded blows in the second set with both teams capitalizing on kills with the Jaguars leading with 27 kills with the Saints closely behind with 23 kills. The Jaguars won the second set 25-22.
“We are blessed to have multiple heavy hitters such as Kayli Cleaver, Savannah and myself who can step up,” said Madelyn Eden, who would finish with six kills and three blocks.
Cleaver, the 6-foot-4 sophomore from Stanfield, N.C., added five kills, as did Wheeler and setter Janvier Buggs.
The third set was almost identical to the second with the Jaguars (ranked second in the Southeast) winning with a final score of 25-23. The key moment in the match was the number of errors the Saints had against the Jaguars. The Saints had 21 errors while the Jaguars only had 15 total.
The Jaguars (26-4) had many key players in their match against the Saints. Buggs led both teams in assists with 30, while teammates Kruczko and Davis tied in kills with both having nine. Ally Thees led the Jaguars in digs with 15.
Flagler’s outstanding hitter Jordan Berglin led both teams in kills with 12, followed by Amelia Fitzpatrick with seven. Edie Lamoreaux led the Saints in assists and digs. She had 15 assists and 23 digs.
“We are going to come into tomorrow’s match relaxed and have fun just playing our game,” said Dariana Luna, who celebrated her birthday with AU’s 25th win in its last 26 matches—and its 12th in a row.
Second-seeded Lander University defeated USC Aiken in the second semifinal match 3-1. The Bearcats (27-5) beat the Pacers 25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 26-24.
Lander, ranked third in the Southeast, was led by first team all-league selection Katie Miller, who had 17 kills, right-side hitter Olivia Dow, who added 14 kills, and Lauren Dow (second team all-PBC) notched 41 assists. Patricia Pantoja (second team all-PBC and specialist of the year) had 32 digs.
USC Aiken (16-10) was led by Emily Lammers, who had 20 kills—the best by any player in the semifinals. Mallory Barash totaled 43 assists.
The winners will play for the PBC Tournament championship at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Christenberry.
AU won two of the three regular-season meetings, including twice last week. Those matches have gone four, five and then three sets.
This is the third time the two teams will play at Christenberry this season. They split the first two meetings.
Contact Domonic Macias at dmacias@augusta.edu.
AU’s Madelyn Eden (15) goes for the kill in the PBC semifinal against Flagler College. At the top of the page, Sophia Kruczko (8) led the way for the Jaguars with nine kills. (photos by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)
Madelyn Eden (15) and Kayli Cleaver (11) go up for the blocks for AU. The Jaguars, who improved to 26-4, had 40 kills, compared to 35 for Flagler. Eden had six kills and three blocks, and Cleaver had five kills and two blocks. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)
