Jaguars remain atop PBC following win at second-place Lander

By Payton Willis | Sports writer

GREENWOOD, S.C.—The Augusta Jaguars defeated the Lander Bearcats in a Peach Belt Conference volleyball match on Tuesday evening, Oct. 11, in Finis Horne Arena.

The Jaguars beat the second-place Bearcats 22-25, 25-14, 25-15, 25-22. The Jags came into the match with a half-game lead at the top of the conference. Peach Belt player of the week Jazmyn Wheeler led the Jaguars (7-2, 15-5) in their four-set victory over the Bearcats (6-4, 13-6) with 15 kills and 7 blocks.

Wheeler was followed closely by junior middle-blocker Madelyn Eden with 13 kills and senior middle-blocker Alexis Diaz-Infante with 10 kills.

According to Diaz-Infante, the team approached Tuesday night’s game with a readiness to fight hard for a win.

“We knew it was going to be a gritty game,” said Diaz-Infante. “We understood that we would have to come ready to go and ready to fight.”

The Jaguars got revenge after a five-set loss at Lander on Oct. 1. Tuesday’s match was a makeup for a postponed match with the Bearcats due to Hurricane Ian.

Diaz-Infante believes that this focused mentality for the AU team will be the trend for the remainder of the season.

“I see us moving forward in this season continuing to take each game very seriously,” said Diaz-Infante. “And continuing to work hard and work together in pursuit of finishing this season strong.”

Samantha Zittrauer had 32 assists for the winners. Teammate Kiera Barr had 25 digs.

Maya Walker led Lander with 12 kills.

Augusta hit a solid .212, but the Bearcats only managed a .071 night. Lander had 10 more errors than the Jags. Augusta led in kills, 55-43.

The Jaguars will play another conference match, this time against third-place Flagler (4-3, 9-6) on Friday, Oct. 14, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Contact Payton Willis at paywillis@augusta.edu.