Jaguars rally to upset top-seeded Lander in PBC semis
By J.Ben Haynes | Sports writer
GREENWOOD, S.C.—The Augusta University volleyball team won a five-set thriller over Lander University in the semifinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Friday, Nov. 22.
After dropping the first two sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-19, the Jaguars (20-6) roared back to win the next three sets and complete a reverse sweep of the Bearcats.
Lander won those first two sets with the aid of 22 combined Augusta errors.
In the third set, it seemed as if the Bearcats (20-5) were going to complete the sweep, as they had a 21-17 lead through the first 38 points.
But the fourth-seeded Jaguars just wouldn’t quit, going on an 8-1 run to win the set 25-22.
In the fourth set, Augusta continued its run from the previous set, as it got out to a 10-2 lead. Lander battled back, though, bringing the score as close as 23-22.
But a Madelyn Eden kill and a Layne Witherspoon service ace gave the Jaguars a 25-22 set win and tied the match at two apiece.
In the deciding fifth set, Augusta raced to a 12-6 lead, but the Bearcats went on a 6-1 run to bring the score to 13-12.
Crucial kills by first Eden and then first team all-conference selection Sophia Kruczko sealed the win for the Jaguars.
“Can you tell I’m doing my happy dance?” said Augusta Coach Sharon Quarles afterwards. “It was a total team effort. We changed up our game plan after the second set, and it really worked out.”
While AU and Lander had about the same hitting percentage (.099 to .103, respectively), the Jaguars had a 17-8 advantage on blocks. Augusta would end up with 60 kills, compared to 52 for the Bearcats.
Eden led the way for AU with 14 kills and seven blocks, and Suguturaga totaled 13 kills and six blocks.
Witherspoon added 11 kills. Rylie Harris had two aces and 28 digs. Janvier Buggs finished with 37 assists and 21 digs. Mia Saavedra had 10 kills and 11 digs.
Katie Miller led Lander with 18 kills, and Madde Blake added 14. Lauren Dow had 33 assists and 26 digs.
With the win, the Jaguars advance to the Peach Belt Conference Championship against Flagler College, the only team Augusta lost to twice during the regular season.
“Championship Saturday, baby! It’s redemption time tomorrow,” said Quarles.
The win gave Quarles her eighth 20-win seasons at AU.
The match between the Jaguars and Saints will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Finis Horne Arena.
Second-seeded Flagler beat third-seeded USC Aiken in four sets (25-18, 25-21, 17-25, 25-15) in the other semifinal on Friday. Molly Boyd had 16 kills and Jordan Berglin 15 for the Saints (13-10).
Augusta will be going after its fifth straight PBC Tournament title.
Contact J.Ben Hayes at jamhaynes@augusta.edu.
AU setter Janvier Buggs (21) sets up middle hitter Madelyn Eden (15) for one of her 14 kills in the five-set win over Lander in the PBC Tournament semifinal. At the top of the page, Jada Suguturaga (13) gets one of her 13 kills on the night. (photos by Domonic Macias/special to the Bell Ringer)
The Jaguars celebrate another point late in their semifinal win over Lander in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament in Greenwood, S.C. (photo by Domonic Macias/special to the Bell Ringer)
Janvier Buggs (21)sets up another kill for the Jaguars. Buggs would finish the night with 37 assists and 21 digs. (photo by Domonic Macias/special to the Bell Ringer)
