Jaguar volleyball team defeats Flagler in PBC match
By Madison Keel | Sports writer
The Augusta University Jaguars swept Flagler in their annual pink out game on Friday, Oct. 14.
The AU volleyball team took the match 3-0 in Peach Belt Conference play at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars are in first place in the Peach Belt Conference at 8-2.
The opening set was the toughest for the Jaguars (16-5 overall). Both teams matched point for point in a stiff battle. Flagler pulled ahead, but Augusta rallied to win 25-22.
The second set was another close one against the fourth-place Saints (6-4, 11-7). AU prevailed with a 25-21 victory.
The third set was when the Jaguars really took off, more than doubling Flagler’s point total. Augusta pulled out a 25-11 victory in the final set to complete the three-set sweep..
Jazmyn Wheeler, Peach Belt Conference player of the week, led the Jags with 12 kills. Middle hitter Jada Suguturaga was second in kills with a total of 7.
Libero Kiera Barr totaled 17 total digs, followed by Wheeler with 11 digs.
Augusta Coach Sharon Quarles praised middle blocker Madelyn Eden, who had six kills and five blocks.
“She is coming up with big blocks and is coming into rhythm with her swings,” Quarles said of the Mulberry, Fla., product.
Quarles said AU’s success this season—with a roster full of new players—has depended on flexibility.
“We make adjustments on the fly,” she said. “We just hold on tight and have to be ready to adjust.”
AU had split with Flagler in St. Augustine, Fla., last month. After the Jaguars won the opener in five sets on Sept. 16, the Saints came back and took the second match in four sets.
The annual pink out match takes place to benefit the Georgia Cancer Center. Patrons were encouraged to dress in pink, and players donned pink jerseys in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Prior to the match, the Augusta Volleyball team presented Chris Curry, communications and marketing manager at theGeorgia Cancer Center, with a $1,400 check to benefit the Cancer Center’s research efforts.
The next match will be against non-conference UNC Pembroke in Christenberry Fieldhouse on Tuesday Oct. 18, at 6 p.m.
Entering Tuesday’s play, AU has a one-game lead on Lander in the PBC standings. Flagler and Georgia College are tied for third, two games back.
Contact Madison Keel mkeel@augusta.edu.
AU’s Madelyn Eden (15) shows her hitting stroke in the win over Flagler. At the top of the page, Dariana Luna serves for the Jaguars. (photos by Madison Keel)
Jazmyn Wheeler (16) pounds home another winner for AU. Wheeler led the Jaguars with 12 kills in the win over Flagler. (photo by Madison Keel)
