Jaguars win on road in four sets against conference opponent Lander

By Katron Hugee | Sports writer

The Augusta University volleyball team improved to 13-4 overall as they defeated Peach Belt Conference opponent Lander University 3-1 in Greenwood, S.C., on Sept. 8.

This win improved the Jaguar’s conference record to 3-1 as the Lander Bearcats dropped to 8-7 overall and 1-4 in the conference.

This was the Jaguars’ second straight win, both wins coming in four sets.

The first set started off very competitive as the score was tied at 8-8. Two separate 3-0 runs by the Jaguars, however, helped them establish some breathing room as they led the set 18-13. The Bearcats cut the back lead down to two with a score of 19-17. AU then went on a 5-0 run to pull away for good and close out the set with a 25-20 win. Attack errors proved to be the difference in the set as Lander finished with 10 attack errors to Augusta’s five.

 The second set started out just as competitive as the first with both teams once again being tied 8-8. It would be Lander this time, however, that would go on a 4-0 run taking a 14-9 lead and leading to AU’s first timeout. The Jaguars would come out of the timeout refocused, going on a 5-1 run and cutting the lead back down to one with a 15-14 lead for Lander. The Bearcats then answered with their own 5-1 run gaining a 21-16 advantage. This cushion would be enough for the Bearcats to close out the set 25-21 and tie the game at 1-1.

The Jaguars jumped out to an early lead in the third set, as they went up 4-0. Lander came back very quickly, however, tying the score up at 5-5. AU then went on a 7-0 run gaining a 12-5 lead and forcing a timeout for the Bearcats.

Augusta and Lander would then go on to exchange runs as the Bearcats would cut the lead to three with AU leading 17-14.  That would be as close as the Jaguars would let them get, as AU finished off the set winning it 25-17 and taking a 2-1 lead.

 The Jaguars would save their best set for last as in set four after an early 3-3 tie, AU would go on a 3-0 run to grab a 6-3 lead. They would later follow that up with a 6-0 run to jump out to a 15-6 lead.

This run was aided by a series of incredible blocks made by AU senior Chloe Allen. The Jaguars would then cruise from their winning set four in dominating fashion 25-11 as Lander came apart towards the end. Augusta would finish a nearly flawless set with a game-high 17 kills in set four to Lander’s nine and only one attack error to Lander’s seven.

Senior Kylie Martin led the Jaguars in kills with 15, followed by fellow senior Alexis Diaz-Infante with 10. Senior Holland Martin led the team in digs with 20 while junior Samantha Zittrauer led the team in assists with 16 and senior Chloe Allen led the team in blocks with 5.

The Jaguars return home for another Peach Belt Conference matchup against Georgia College on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Contact Katron Hugee at khugee@augusta.edu.