AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta Volleyball fell to rival USC Aiken in four sets Friday night in Peach Belt Conference action at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Pacers took the match 25-18, 20-25, 25-16, 26-24. Augusta moved to 11-17 overall and 7-7 in conference play, while USC Aiken improved to 19-6 and 11-3 in the PBC.
After dropping the opening set, Augusta answered with its strongest offensive frame of the night. The Jaguars recorded 17 kills and hit .297 in the second set, pulling away for a 25-20 win to even the match.
USC Aiken regained the lead with a 25-16 victory in the third. Augusta battled throughout a close fourth set, but the Pacers held on for the 26-24 decision to close the match.
Nikol Antova led the Jaguars with 13 kills and added seven digs. Sofiia Snitsarevych finished with 11 kills on a .476 hitting percentage, committing only one error on 21 attacks. She also contributed three block assists and a service ace.
Molly McDonald recorded nine kills and two aces, while Angela Mateos added eight kills and three block assists. Essence Jones finished with six kills.
Andrea Rodríguez directed the Augusta offense with 27 assists, nine digs and one ace. Kinley Nicholls added 14 assists and five digs, while Hunter MacFarland led the defensive effort with 17 digs.
Augusta held a 51-48 advantage in kills and finished with 48 assists. USC Aiken hit .214 for the match compared to .180 for the Jaguars.
The two teams return to Christenberry Fieldhouse Saturday for Augusta's regular-season finale. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m., with the Jaguars recognizing their senior class as part of Senior Day.
