Box Score GRU Augusta shut out at home in non-conference match
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The GRU Augusta volleyball team endured their first loss of the new season in a 3-0 defeat to the Limestone Saints on Saturday afternoon in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
GRU (5-1) lost the opening set for the first time this year and the Saints (3-1) took the momentum that they never surrendered. In set two Limestone went up 3-0 and while the Jags tied it early, it wouldn't be enough.
Unforced errors plagued the Jaguar offense all afternoon and it sets one and two it led to a back-to-back losses 25-15, 25-16. GRU posted a .031 attack percentage in set one and .027 in set two – totaling 17 kills and 15 errors in both sets
GRU freshman Savanna Gonzales produced a team-high seven kills in the loss and she added two digs. Senior Kailla Baptiste and sophomore Paige Elliott each had six kills for GRU and Latham assisted 28 shots and had five digs. Limestone's Karli Acree posted a match-high 12 kills and 12 digs, while Rycki Ebert had 11 kills. The match had 16 tied scores and seven lead changes.
In the third and must win third set, GRU went up fist but the Saints brought it back to three all. Thing stayed tight as the set was tied at 11, 12, and 13.
Eventually down 23-22 after a Limestone loft kill, the Jags found life when senior Katie Beresford recorded to even things at 23-all. The Saints answered the next point, but sophomore Paige Elliott took an Alyssa-Latham serve and struck a kill to keep it even.
GRU was on set point five times to close the third set, but a consistent Limestone defense kept them in a tied match. An attack error from GRU made it 29-29 and a kill from the Saints and final attack error from the Jags gave the day to Limestone.
Next up, the Jags begin Peach Belt Conference play on Friday, Sept. 18 when they host the Columbus State Cougars in Christenberry Fieldhouse at 7:00 p.m.
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