Lander downs Jaguars in tightly contested PBC volleyball match
By J.Ben Haynes | Sports writer
Augusta University dropped a tight Peach Belt Conference volleyball match against league-leading Lander University in Greenwood, S.C,. on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Although the Bearcats (6-1, 19-4) swept the defending conference champion Jaguars (4-4, 17-6) in straight sets, the second and third sets were both back-and-forth, going over the usual set point of 25.
Lander came out of the gate hot on its way to a 15-6 lead to start the match before 776 at Finis Horne Arena.
This was too much for Augusta to overcome, as the Bearcats won the first set 25-15.
In set number two, both teams traded points on their way to a 20-20 tie.
The Bearcats then went on a 4-1 run to take a 24-21 lead, but the Jaguars, with their backs against the wall, scored three straight points to tie the set at 24 a piece.
With the set at a 27-27 tie, Lander outside hitter Katie Miller put together back-to-back kills to give the Bearcats a 29-27 set win, and a 2-0 match lead.
The third set was much of the same story, as Lander had a 24-21 set lead and was serving for match point, but the Jaguars went on a 4-1 run to take a 25-24 lead.
However, Augusta was unable to capitalize on this set point opportunity, as the Bearcats ultimately won the set 28-26 to give them a 3-0 sweep of the Jaguars.
Sophia Kruczko was the top offensive performer for Augusta, amassing 12 kills on a .300 attack percentage, while Rylie Harris was the Jaguars’ defensive standout, finishing with 24 digs. Janvier Buggs had 19 assists in the match and went over 2,000 for her career, which included a stop at Austin Peay.
For the Bearcats, Miller did it all, totaling a team-high 18 digs on a .200 attack percentage as well as a team-high 18 digs.
Augusta, which defeated Lander in five sets on Nov. 1 at home, will be back in action for their regular season finale on Friday, Nov. 15, at Christenberry Fieldhouse as they take on conference for Georgia College at 6 p.m.
The loss dropped AU into a third-place tie with USC Aiken. The two teams split their regular-season matches. Lander will play at Flagler on Nov. 15.
The Bearcats have a one-game lead on the Saints as the regular season winds down to its final match date. The PBC Tournament will be held next week.
Lander’s win over Augusta secured at least a tie for the regular-season title for the Bearcats.
However, the first full rankings of the season came out Thursday with Wingate ranked first in the Southeast, with Augusta second and Lander third.
Contact J.Ben Haynes at jamhaynes@augusta.edu.
Augusta setter Janvier Buggs (21) had 19 assists and 12 digs in the Jaguars’ 25-15, 29-27, 28-26 loss at Lander. At the top of the page, Layne Witherspoon (20) had nine kills and five disgs for AU, which will host Georgia College on Nov. 15 in the regular-season finale. (photos by Domonic Macias/special to the Bell Ringer)
