Chloe Allen returns for fifth season with Augusta volleyball

By Jack Johnson | Sports writer

Chloe Allen has been a crucial part of Augusta University volleyball since her arrival as a freshman in 2017. Since then, the Jaguars have gone on to win three consecutive Peach Belt Conference championships, and Allen has stepped up as one of the team’s best players. 

During Allen’s senior season in 2020–21, she was elected to the preseason all-conference team and led the team in blocks with 65 and kills per set at a 2.26 average. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic last year, Allen was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA and chose to take advantage of it as did many other athletes across the country. 

The Jaguars will also return seniors Holland Martin, Kylie Martin, Kierra Barr and Brooklyn Holthaus under the NCAA’s grant of an additional year of eligibility. 

Allen said she wishes to end her collegiate athletic career on a high note.

“We’ve won it three years in a row, and we’re bringing back a lot of the same key players from last year’s championship run. I’d really like to go out on a high note by winning the conference again this year,” she said.

The Jaguars have won three consecutive Peach Belt Conference titles and are ranked second in this year’s preseason poll.

The Jaguars will play several non-conference opponents to start their season including matchups with Belmont Abbey College, Erskine College, Coker University and Converse University. They will then transition into conference play with their first Peach Belt game against Georgia College on Sept. 24. 

The Jaguars will not have a home conference game until they matchup with Flagler College on Oct. 1, and this is the game that Allen and her teammates are looking most forward to. 

“We were picked second in the preseason poll which puts us behind Flagler just like last year. They came into our gym and ended up beating us, so we like to think of this matchup as a revenge game for last season. Flagler will without a doubt be our toughest opponent this year and beating them at home would be a highlight of the season,” Allen said. 

The Peach Belt Conference tournament will take place Nov. 19–21 this year and will be held at Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta. This season will also mark the return of the NCAA national volleyball tournament as it has not been held since 2019. Two teams from the Peach Belt will be guaranteed spots in this tournament, and the Jaguars are looking to be one of them. 

Contact Jack Johnson at jacjohnson@augusta.edu