FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – Augusta University volleyball opened the 2026 season Friday with a pair of matches at the Lions Den Invitational, falling 3-1 to Mars Hill before dropping a 3-0 decision to host Emmanuel at the Shaw Athletic Center.
Augusta 1, Mars Hill 3
The Jaguars fell to Mars Hill 18-25, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25 in the opener.
Essence Jones turned in an efficient Augusta debut, finishing with 11 kills without an attack error on 29 swings for a .379 hitting percentage while adding 10 digs. Nikol Antova led Augusta with 12 kills and three service aces, while Emma Haren added eight kills on .278 hitting.
After dropping the opening two sets, Augusta responded in the third. The Jaguars jumped out to a 6-1 advantage behind a pair of aces from Tasleemat Anjous and kills from Layne Witherspoon and Antova. Augusta went on to take the set 25-20 while limiting Mars Hill to .029 hitting. The Jaguars produced their best offensive percentage of the match in the fourth at .226, but Mars Hill answered by hitting .393 to close the match.
Augusta 0, Emmanuel 3
Augusta returned to the court Friday evening against host Emmanuel, falling 15-25, 22-25, 17-25.
Antova delivered another strong performance, putting down 15 kills on .237 hitting and adding 11 digs for her first collegiate double-double. Sofiia Snitsarevych finished with five kills on .286 hitting, while Andrea Rodríguez handed out 24 assists and Anjous led the back row with 17 digs.
Augusta came out quickly in the second set, scoring the first four points behind back-to-back Snitsarevych kills, a Hunter MacFarland ace and an Antova kill. Emmanuel eventually moved in front, but the Jaguars continued to battle and cut a 20-9 deficit to 20-16 behind a stretch that included three Antova kills and an Antova ace. Augusta later fought off three set points before Emmanuel finished the frame 25-22.
Up Next
Augusta concludes the Lion's Den Invitational Saturday against Mount Olive. First serve is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in Franklin Springs.
