Augusta, Ga. – The Augusta University Volleyball team defeated USC Aiken 3-0 today in a conference match. The Jaguars improve to 23-8 with a 7-4 record in Peach Belt contests. The Pacers move to 24-4 with an 8-3 mark in conference matches.

For the match, Augusta was led by Madison Malloch, who drove home 10 kills to lead the squad. Chloe Allen had a dominant night with a .389 hitting percentage, eight kills, and an incredible six service aces. Holland Martin led the defense with 16 digs, while Kylie Martin and Jessica Hedrick teamed up for eight blocks in the contest.

The Jags opened up the match with a pair of points threading their attacks through the Pacer blockers. Both squads would be evenly matched through the first 10 points. Both sides were able to find openings in the back row and take full advantage of them, keeping the match deadlocked until one side could lock it down. Malloch had some crucial blocks in the set, stuffing some of the Pacers attacks and funneling others so the rest of her squad could pick up the point. With the score tied at 12-12 at the halfway mark, the Jags would jump out to a two point lead thanks to some miscues by the visitors. A quick four point run by the Jaguars would force the Pacers to take a timeout to try and regroup. Augusta would take the first point out of the break to make it 22-17 and looked to close out the set strong. They would do just that, winning the set 25-20.

The momentum from the first set carried over to the second, as the Jaguars stormed out of the gate with a 3-0 run. Augusta was able to hold a slim lead as the set progressed, taking advantage of more miscues by USCA and breaking through their defense. An Allen ace gave the Jags an 11-8 lead into the halfway point. A determined Pacer squad would battle back though, tying the score at 12 moments later. Each side would trade the next few points until, with the score tied at 15, the Pacers would go on a late 3-0 spurt to take an 18-15 lead. Augusta quickly regained their composure, and Allen drove home another ace to tie it up at 19-19. Malloch would slam home a kill to give the lead back to the home squad and forced Aiken to burn a timeout. Another ace by Allen started to put the set out of reach.  Aiken fought back to tie things up late at 23-23, but a K. Martin service ace would seal it for the Jags at 25-23.

The Jaguars had the Pacers on their heels, up 2-0 in sets going into the third. The blocking game for the Jags continued to be absolutely dominant, as Aiken tried to shake up the lineups to get around it. Each side fought tooth and nail through the early stages of the set, trading points constantly. Augusta would pick up a two point lead halfway through. They continued their stellar defense as things progressed, but a determined Aiken squad kept it close. The Jaguars still held a three point lead as Allen delivered another ace, her sixth of the evening, to bring about another timeout from the Pacer bench. The home team would not be denied as Augusta closed out the set, and the match, with a 25-20 victory.

Augusta is right back at it tomorrow, as they face Lander on Senior Day at 2:00 p.m. at the Christenberry Fieldhouse.