AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Jaguars won a four-set non-conference match over the Emmanuel Lions on Friday night in the first day of the 2014 GRU Augusta Invitational. 

GRU won their first set by the largest of their three victories over the Lions with a 25-17 win. The Jags hit .257 as a team in set one and had 13 kills to four errors. In set two the Jags were tied 21-all with Emmanuel, until three Kristen Koch kills and a Maggie Darling service ace gave GRU the edge for a 25-23 win.

After Emmanuel took set three with ease 25-17, the Jags outlasted the Lions 25-19 in set four to win the match. Up 24-10, GRU allowed the Lions a slight comeback when they gave up nine points in a row with Erica Burnham on serve. On match point, Sadie Thurston elevated for the final kill of the night to give the Jags the victory.

Freshman Kali Boatwright posted a double-double with 14 kills and 20 digs, while senior Kristen Koch tallied 16 kills and seven digs. GRU outhit the Lions .111 to .097, but got out-blocked 14-to-seven on the night. Alyssa Latham provided 36 assists, while Catherine Desilvester had 24 digs/

The Jags play Carson-Newman tomorrow for a 2:00 p.m. non-conference match and wrap up the GRU Augusta Invitational against Paine at 6:00 p.m. Paine faces Emmanuel at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, Carson-Newman meets UNC Pembroke at 12:00 p.m. and Emmanuel plays UNCP at 4:00 p.m.

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: 2014 GRU AUGUSTA INVITATIONAL

LIVE STATS: Available on JAGUARSROAR.COM

LIVE VIDEO: Available on USTREAM.TV/CHANNEL/GRU-AUGUSTA-ATHLETICS

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