Georgia College upsets Jaguar volleyball in Peach Belt match
By Whitney Watkins | Sports writer
The Augusta University volleyball team lost a five-set thriller against Georgia College on Friday, Oct. 15, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
This loss snapped a five-match winning streak for the Jaguars, who saw their record drop to 13-5 overall and 3-2 in the Peach Belt Conference, while Georgia College’s record improved 8-13 overall and 3-3 in PBC play.
The teams split the first four sets, and the Jaguars started off well in the final set, but they fell short by three points.
In the first set, the Jaguars opened with an 8-0 run by consistently keeping up the tempo. Throughout the rest of the set, the Bobcats could not take the lead. The Jaguars finished the set easily for a 25-17 win.
The Jaguars came out strong again in the second set, going on a 3-0 run before the Bobcats scored. Georgia College called an early timeout, and then the Bobcats gained the momentum and took a 16-11 lead. AU couldn’t seem to get out of its funk and lost the second set 25-15.
The Jaguars came out and took a 6-3 lead at the start of the third set. The Bobcats fought back and tied the game up twice, first at 11-11 and then at 19-19. Eventually, Augusta forged ahead and won 25-23 for a one-set lead through three.
The Jaguars took a comfortable 11-6 lead to open the fourth set, but the Bobcats answered back and tied the game at 24-24. Georgia College then forged ahead to win the fourth 27-25.
The fifth and final set came down to who was going to battle the hardest, and that proved to be the visitors, who never lost the lead and took the decisive set 15-12.
AU Coach Sharon Quarles was philosophical after the match.
“We could have played a lot better; we had some injuries and had some people out, so we had to make some adjustments offensively and defensively,” Quarles said. “I think there were ample opportunities for us to beat Georgia College. We just didn’t capitalize when we needed to.”
Senior Chloe Allen did not play for the Jaguars.
Quarles also talked about the next match.
“We have a couple of days off to use this time to heal, and then we have the regional cross-over tournament,” she said. “That’s four regional matches coming up starting next Friday, so that’s what we have got to focus on.”
Senior Alexis Diaz-Infante led AU with 17 kills. Senior Julie Archer added 15 kills. Junior Samantha Zittrauer led the team with 29 assists. Holland Martin, Kiera Barr and Ally Thees all were in double digits in digs.
Augusta Jaguars will be back playing next Friday, Oct. 22, in the PBC crossover at Georgia College. AU opens with Lenoir-Rhyne at 2 p.m.
Contact Whitney Watkins at wwatkins@augusta.edu.
Alexis Diaz-Infante (21) led the way with 17 kills for the Jaguars. Teammates Ally Thees (1) and Kylie Martin watch her spike. At the top of the page, Thees serves for AU. (photos by Katron Hugee)
