AU wins four-set non-conference battle against West Georgia

By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor

Augusta University’s volleyball team defeated the University of West Georgia in four sets on Wednesday, Oct. 6, in a non-conference match at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Breast Cancer Awareness Night. 

This game marked the Jaguars (12-4) first home win of the season after losing to conference rival Flagler in the home opener on Oct. 1. 

“We were coming off a tough match against Flagler when we didn’t really show up to compete, but tonight we did,” said AU Coach Sharon Quarles. “Obviously, there are moments where we have mental lapses and No. 13 (Tierra White) is a big middle for them, and she skys and hits over the block very well. We needed to collapse on her every time and position our defenders to take away her angle.”

After being down early in the first set 5-1, AU would battle back and win the set 26-24. The Jaguars rattled off a 3-0 run with Senior Alyssa Frazier getting two kills to end the set with a win. 

The Jaguars dominated set two going on a 15-6 run and winning the set 25-18. 

The Wolves (8-7) became hot in the third set. They started out on a 9-3 run. AU tried to battle back mid-game, but UWG went on a 7-0 run and won the set 25-18. The Jaguars struggled with the errors in the third set with 11, compared to the Wolves’ five. 

The fourth set was back and forth with the Wolves of the Gulf South Conference ahead 25-24 late in the game. AU would go on a 3-0 run as senior Kylie Martin finished the match with a kill. 

Martin led AU with 16 kills in the match and finished with 15 digs. Junior Samantha Zittrauer led the Jaguars with 26 assists. Senior Holland Martin was the leader on digs for the Jaguars with 24. 

White led the Wolves with 12 kills and 4 blocks.

AU’s next game will be on the road at Finis Horne Arena in Greenwood. S.C., as the Jaguars, who are 2-1 in the league, take on Lander University (8-6, 1-3) in a Peach Belt Conference match on Friday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. 

“It’s another conference match that is going be a good one because Lander is always dynamic in what they bring to the table,” said Quarles. “It will be exciting even to go to them because they have a new coach and see what they are going to field against us.” 

The Jaguars will come back home on Friday, Oct. 15, to take on Georgia College (6-12, 1-3) in another conference matchup.

The AU volleyball team raised $800 for the Georgia Cancer Center and gave the center the check on Wednesday night.

Note: In the photo at the top of the page, Augusta’s Chloe Allen goes for the kill. Below, Kylie Martin gets a dig for the Jaguars, who improved to 2-1 in the Peach Belt Conference, (photos by Chris Rickerson)

Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.