Top-seeded Tampa ends AU volleyball's historic run on Spartans' home floor
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
Augusta University’s volleyball team’s historic run came to an end as the Jaguars fall to tournament host Tampa in four sets (3-1) in the NCAA Division II Championship Elite Eight on Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center in Tampa, Fla.
The eighth-seeded Jaguars (24-9) looked to continue their historic season as they already had defeated third-seeded Tusculum, second-seeded Anderson and first-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne in the Southeast Regional last week. Now AU had to face off against another top seed in the Tampa Spartans (32-2).
Set one was a back-forth battle, but the Jaguars high tempo and defensive gameplan worked early as AU won 25-20. AU continued to be aggressive in set two, but the Spartans went on a 4-0 run to win the set 25-19 and tie the match 1-1.
Tampa went ahead 2-1 in the match winning set three 25-21. The Spartans dominated set four early by a score of 21-5, but the Jaguars would go on an unbelievable 13-1 run, bringing the lead within four. AU’s comeback would come up short as Tampa won the final set 25-20.
Still, the Jaguars gave the favored Spartans quite a competitive match.
“We gained, as they say, some major ‘street cred’ tonight,” said AU Coach Sharon Quarles. “The respect meter just jumped tremendously by the National Committee and the Division II family at large. People are sitting up and taking notice.”
Chloe Allen, the Peach Belt player of the year, led the team with 13 kills and 17 digs. Senior Kylie Martin finished second on the team with 11 kills and 11 digs.
“It feels astounding to accomplish all we did this season,” Allen said afterwards. “Breaking records and making program history is all I could’ve ever asked for before leaving my career here at AU.”
The Spartans were led offensively by Kalli Cors with 13 kills, followed by Melissa Elias who finished with 11 kills and 15 assists.
Tampa will move on to the Final Four to face fifth-seeded Gannon in route to capture their fourth NCAA title.
As far as the Jaguars, they will head home with there heads high after their historic season.
“Even though we fell short, we left it all on the court and couldn’t be more proud,” said Martin. “Very bittersweet but couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my career.”
Seniors Allen and Martin, in their last seasons as Jaguars, helped the team to their fourth consecutive Peach Belt Championship and to the Elite Eight, the furthest NCAA Championship run in school history.
“Twelve strong—that’s what we kept saying as we pushed through regionals and nationals because we were small but mighty,” said Martin. “This team had so much heart. We wanted to work hard and win for each other. We never go down without a fight, and that’s what makes us so special.”
AU will now look to recruit to replace some of the senior talent and go for their fifth straight PBC title and possibly a NCAA Championship.
“You don’t replace the likes of a Chloe and Kylie,” Quarles said. “You just look for players that will fit into the program who will work hard and that are versatile and dynamic enough to take on many roles. Players that love to compete and win.”
Allen was thankful for her career at AU.
“I will never forget the passion, drive and resilience that all of my teammates, and I have learned throughout our years here,” she said. “It takes a lot to do what we student-athletes do. Each and every one of these girls has proven themselves to be amazing teammates, volleyball players and women in life. Seeing all of us grow together has been one of my favorite parts about playing volleyball at AU.”
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
For the first time in school history, the Jaguars’ volleyball team advanced to the nationals, winning the Peach Belt Conference Tournament for the fourth straight season and capturing the Southeast Regional championship. (photo by Thurston Johnson, special to the Bell Ringer)
