Jaguars top Francis Marion to set up showdown with Lander
Staff report
Jazmyn Wheeler led a potent attack as Augusta University topped Francis Marion in collegiate volleyball Friday, Oct. 6, at Christenberry Fieldhouse in AU’s Pink Out match.
Wheeler had 17 kills, 13 digs and seven aces as AU defeated the Patriots 25-12, 30-28, 25-20 in a non-conference match. That was the Jaguars’ 13th straight win.
That sets up a showdown for first place in the Peach Belt Conference with Lander (4-0, 16-2) on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. in Christenberry Fieldhouse. AU will enter the match at 3-0 in the PBC and 14-3 overall.
Wheeler got plenty of help from Sophia Kruczko and Janvier Buggs on Friday night. Kruczko finished with 10 kills, and Buggs had a game-high 40 assists. Jada Suguturaga had six kills and five blocks for Augusta. Dariana Luna had 20 digs.
The Patriots (9-9) were led by Caroline Lucas with nine kills. Mo Grigsby and Kara Walker added seven kills each. Katie Floyd had 22 digs. Kaylee Gillespie had 29 assists.
The Jaguars hit at a .211 clip, compared to .156 for the Patriots.
The second set was quite tense with Wheeler serving AU out of a seven-point hole. The Phoenix, Ariz., senior had nine straight points on serve. Kruczko put the set away with a kill off a feed from Buggs. Before that, Wheeler’s kill made it 29-28.
AU now has gone five straight matches without giving up a set. However, Saturday’s match with the lightning-quick Bearcats figures to be close and probably a five-setter. Both teams are looking to have the upper hand in the competition to see who gets to host the PBC Tournament and the Southeast Regional.
Before the match, the Jaguars donated $1,600 to the Georgia Cancer Center. Each player raised money to bring awareness to the prevention of cancer.
Saturday is Community Day at Christenberry.
Jazmyn Wheeler had 18 kills and seven aces to pace AU over Francis Marion in three sets. At the top of the page, Jaga Suguturaga had six kills and four blocks in the Jaguars’ 13th straight. (photos by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)
