Pacers' volleyball team defeats Jaguars in straight sets
By J.Ben Haynes | Sports writer
AIKEN, S.C.—The Augusta University volleyball team dropped a tough match to rival USC Aiken at the Convocation Center in Aiken on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Although the Jaguars suffered their first sweep of the season, it was a tight match, with each of the three sets coming down to the wire.
The first set was back and forth all the way to a 16-16 tie, but the Pacers ended the set on a 9-4 run, headed by Araczki Gyongyver’s two service aces.
The second set was much of the same story, as both teams traded points on their way to a 20-20 tie, but a 5-2 USC Aiken run led by two Gyongyver kills gave the Pacers a 25-22 set win and 2-0 match lead.
In the third set, USC Aiken soared to a 17-11 lead, but a 10-4 Jaguars’ run headed by five Jaguar kills, and two service aces from Jada Suguturaga, brought the score to a 21-21 tie.
But once again, the Pacers went on another run to win the set 25-22 and complete the match sweep.
The Jaguars were plagued by errors, accumulating seven service errors and six receiving errors as a team.
Augusta was led offensively by Madelyn Eden and Layne Witherspoon. Eden finished with six kills on a .200 attack percentage, while Witherspoon finished with eight kills on a .190 attack percentage.
For USC Aiken, Gyongyver was the catalyst, finishing with eight kills on a .277 attack percentage to go along with three service aces. Teammate Sidney Hogan had 20 assists, and Sadie McKay had 17 digs.
For AU, Janvier Buggs had 15 assists and 10 digs, while Giulia Rodrigues had 15 digs. Jacklyn Simms added six kills for the Jaguars.
With the loss, the Jaguars fall to 1-1 in conference play and 11-3 overall, while USC Aiken improves to 3-0 in conference and 11-2 overall.
Augusta looks to get back in the win column this Saturday, Oct. 19, in St. Augustine, Fla., as the Jaguars take on conference foe Flagler College at 1 p.m. AU will play at Emmanuel on Oct. 22. The Jags’ next home match is Friday, Oct. 25, against Georgia College at 6 p.m.
Contact J.Ben Haynes at jamhaynes@augusta.edu.
AU’s Madelyn Eden (15) goes up for the kill after the set from Janvier Buggs (21). At the top of the page, Jacklyn Simms (16) gets one of her six kills in the Jaguars’ 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 conference loss at USC Aiken. (photos by Lydia Williams)
The Jaguars’ Layne Witherspoon (20) and Jada Suguturaga attempt the block during AU’s Peach Belt Conference match with USC Aiken. (photo by Lydia Williams)
