Flagler downs Jaguars in PBC VB final; AU gets 4th seed in regional, to play Lenoir-Rhyne
By J.Ben Haynes | Sports writer
The Augusta volleyball team dropped its third match of the season against Flagler College, this time in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship match on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Greenwood, S.C.
On Monday, Nov. 25, Augusta received an at-large bid to compete in the Southeast Regional of the Division II tournament.
The Jaguars suffered a sweep at the hands of the Saints, losing the three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-21 and 25-19.
Senior Jordan Berglin was dominant for Flagler, as she finished with an astounding 23 kills on a .528 attack percentage on her way to Peach Belt Tournament most valuable player honors.
Senior Jada Suguturaga was a bright spot for Augusta, finishing with six kills on a .235 attack percentage to go along with 4 blocks.
Seniors Madelyn Eden and Sophia Kruczko also added six kills apiece for the Jaguars, while sophomore Mia Saavedra added six kills of her own.
The Jaguars won two of their three matches in the tournament, beating Georgia College in the play-in game. Then AU upset conference regular-season champion Lander in the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 22.
The good news for Augusta is that their season is still alive, as they will compete in the Southeast Regional of the NCAA Tournament hosted by Wingate University in Wingate, N.C.
As the fourth-seed, the Jaguars (20-7) will match up with the fifth-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (25-6) in the quarterfinals on Friday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.
The AU-LR winner will play either top-seeded Wingate (28-2) or eighth-seeded Converse (23-9) in the region semifinals on Dec. 7.
Lander (20-5) is seeded second in the regional, with Flagler (14-10) third and USC Aiken (12-8) seventh. Lander and USCA square off in the quarterfinals, while Flagler will be play sixth-seeded Anderson (19-10), the defending region champion.
The regional will be played at Wingate’s Cuddy Arena.
Contact J. Ben Haynes at jamhaynes@augusta.edu.
AU’s Madelyn Eden (15) had six kills and three blocks in the PBC final loss to Flagler. At the top of the page, Mikayla Kline (7) gets a dig for the Jaguars, who take a 20-7 record in the regionals, which will be play Dec. 5-8. (photos by Domonic Macias/special to the Bell Ringer)
AU’s Janvier Buggs (21) and Jada Suguturaga (13) attempt a block against Flagler in the PBC championship match at Lander on Nov. 23. (photo by Domonic Macias, special to the Bell Ringer)
