Box Score Tampa, FL– The Augusta University Women's volleyball team saw their historic season come to an end following a 3-1 loss (25-20, 19-25, 21-25)  to the top-seeded host Tampa in the NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship Elite Eight at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.

After defeating the #3, #2, and #1 seed in the Southeast Regional Tournament last Saturday, Augusta could not do the same to the favorite University of Tampa Spartans. The Spartans are ranked 9^th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 Poll. They advance to the Final Four where they'll face fifth-seeded Gannon tomorrow at 7:30pm.


 
Offensively, PBC Player of the Year Chloe Allen  led the Jaguars with 13 kills and 17 digs. Kylie Martin also carded a double-double with 11 kills to go along with 11 digs.Defensively, Holland Martin had 14 digs. Radka Brichackova tallied 6 blocks while Alexis Diaz-Infante had 5 blocks.
 
Augusta was able to strike first with a big opening kill from Alyssa Frazier. Three consecutive points capped by a kill from Radka Brichackova put AU up 9-6 early in the first set. Tampa was able to tie the match at 11-11. Both teams traded points until back to back kills from the Jaguars and back-to-back errors from gave Augusta a 20-15 lead. A service ace from senior Brooklyn Holthaus brought AU to set point and a monstrous kill by Chloe Allen gave Augusta the 25-20 victory in Set 1.   
 
A quick swing by Peach Belt Tournament MVP Kylie Martin opened Set 2. The Jaguars were able to extend the lead to 11-8 before Tampa went on a 7-1 run, forcing Coach Quarles' first timeout of the evening. In the longest rally of the night, a tip from Alyssa took AU to within three but the Jags dropped the second game 25-19.
 
In Set 3, the Spartans scored the first two points before back-to-back kills from Julie Archer notched the game again. 2 errors by the home team gave AU a slight 2-point edge early in the set. It seemed as if Tampa had taken control of the set with a 5 point lead before setter Ally Thees rattled off five straight points from the service line. A huge block from Diaz-Infante and Brichackova notched the game at 17-17. The Spartans were able to push the lead, hitting a .327 clip in the set and winning 25-21.
 
Trying to shift the momentum, Augusta claimed the first 2 points of the fourth set. Tampa was able to answer, going on a 4-0 run and forcing a Jaguar timeout. The Spartans took a commanding lead in the final set before AU went on a 9-0 run. Tampa was forced to call a final timeout at 22-18 after yet another service ace by Samantha Zittrauer. AU put up an epic battle in the fourth, but eventually fell 25-20 in the final set.