AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta volleyball earned its third consecutive victory Tuesday night, sweeping Francis Marion in a nonconference match inside George A. Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The match served as Augusta Athletics' Here to Win Cancer Awareness Game in partnership with the Georgia Cancer Center. The Jaguars wore pink jerseys as the evening raised awareness, promoted early detection and recognized those affected by cancer.
Augusta took the match 25-14, 25-22 and 25-19 while holding the Patriots to a .051 hitting percentage.
The Jaguars set the tone early with 14 kills and six service aces in the opening frame. Augusta limited Francis Marion to five kills on .037 hitting and pulled away for the 25-14 win.
Francis Marion opened the second set with five straight points, but Augusta worked its way back and eventually tied the score at 11. The Jaguars closed out the set 25-22 before delivering their most efficient offensive performance of the night in the third.
Augusta hit .311 with 16 kills in the final frame. After a set that featured eight ties and six lead changes, the Jaguars created separation late to finish the sweep, 25-19.
Sofiia Snitsarevych led Augusta with 13 kills on .414 hitting and added five block assists. Essence Jones recorded 10 kills with just one error, finishing with a .562 hitting percentage.
Nikol Antova added 10 kills and 12 digs for a double-double. Layne Witherspoon finished with seven kills, 13 digs, two aces and three total blocks.
Kinley Nicholls handed out 37 assists and added nine digs, while Hunter MacFarland led the back row with 16 digs and two service aces.
Augusta finished with a 44-26 advantage in kills, a 61-53 edge in digs and seven aces. The Jaguars hit .252 as a team and recorded nine total blocks.
The win moves Augusta to 8-14 overall while remaining 5-4 in Peach Belt Conference play. The Jaguars return to conference action Friday, Oct. 23, when they host Flagler at 6 p.m. for Faculty and Staff Night.
