Lander halts AU volleyball winning streak at 13
By Rachel Carman | Sports writer
The Augusta University volleyball team saw its13-match winning streak end with a loss to the Lander University Bearcats in a four-set contest on Saturday Oct. 7.
Going into the match, AU and Lander were both unbeaten in league play and tied for first place in the Peach Belt Conference. Both teams were eager to fight for the No. 1 spot in this highly anticipated matchup.
Lander walked away victorious, winning 3-1 and secured the top spot in the PBC standings. Set points for the match were 17-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-25.
The Bearcats dominated the offense in the first set with back-to-back kills from outside Katie Miller and right-side Olivia Dow. Down at set point for Lander, the Jags fought hard to come back in the second set, securing seven straight points. With one last kill from Lander’s Katie Miller, who posted a total of 20 kills, the Bearcats took set two.
The Jags came back in set three with a vengeance and were ready to fight for the win. Senior setter Janvier Buggs, who was named on Oct. 9 as PBC Specialist of the Week, commented on what needed to change for the Jags to win the third set.
“At the end of the second set, we dialed back into our strengths,” Buggs said. “It gave us the momentum and energy we needed to go into the third set.”
Buggs worked hard to keep the Jags in their system and tallied 39 assists for the match. With the offense effectively spread, Augusta hammered 14 kills in the third set with freshman outside hitter Mikayla Kline leading with five kills.
In the fourth set, Augusta struggled to stay in control, giving up 10 errors and the final set to the Bearcats. Lander’s win against Augusta secured their No. 1 spot in the PBC standings and adds to the Bearcats perfect 5-0 conference record (17-2 overall). The Jags now are now in second place with a 3-1 PBC record (14-4 overall).
“Saturday was just an off day for us but, it was also a learning experience,” said AU Coach Sharon Quarles “There was room for improvement, there’s room to work harder and there is room to get better.”
After playing Georgia College on Tuesday Oct. 10, Augusta will take a week off before hitting the road to face UNC Pembroke on Tuesday Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.
The next home game is on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. against the Georgia College Bobcats.
AU and Lander will play again on Nov. 9 (at Christenberry) and Nov. 10 (in Greenwood, S.C.).
Contact Rachel Carman at racarman@augusta.edu.
Note: Domonic Macias also contributed to this story.
Madelyn Eden (15) gets the kill to help AU win the third set in its match with Lander at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Teammates Janvier Buggs (21) and Jazmyn Wheeler (16) watch, as Lander’s Annie Holesinger attempts to block. At the top of the page, Wheeler serves for the Jaguars. (staff photos)
Riley Harris (3) nearly served AU back in the second set. Harris began serving with her team down 24-16, but the comeback attempt came up just short as Lander won the second set 25-22 and went on to win the match between the two PBC volleyball heavyweights. (staff photo)
Jaguar outside hitter Sophia Kruczko works at the net for a block. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)
