AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University volleyball opened Peach Belt Conference play with a 3-0 victory over Middle Georgia State Thursday evening at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars won 25-22, 25-20 and 25-23 to improve to 3-8 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
Augusta finished with 45 kills and 10 service aces while holding Middle Georgia to 29 kills. The Jaguars also held a 52-45 advantage in digs.
Emma Haren led Augusta with 12 kills, eight digs and two service aces. Sofiia Snitsarevych added nine kills on .300 hitting with four total blocks, while Nikol Antova recorded eight kills and hit .300.
Kinley Nicholls finished with 21 assists and six digs, and Andrea Rodríguez added 17 assists, five digs and two aces. Moni Anjous led the Jaguars from the service line with four aces while adding 11 digs. Hunter McFarland finished with 10 digs and an ace.
The opening set featured nine ties before Augusta created separation late. With the Jaguars leading 18-17, kills from Snitsarevych, Essence Jones and Antova helped extend the lead to 22-18. Augusta held off a late Middle Georgia push to take the set 25-22.
Augusta took control earlier in the second, building a 19-12 advantage behind a balanced attack and five service aces. Middle Georgia pulled within three, but the Jaguars closed the set with six of the final 10 points for a 25-20 win.
The third set was tied six times as Middle Georgia battled to extend the match. Augusta broke an 18-18 tie and carried a two-point advantage into the closing moments. Haren delivered the final kill to secure the 25-23 victory and complete the sweep in front of 214 fans.
Augusta remains home to face Georgia College on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 3 p.m. for CSRA Volleyball Day.
