AUGUSTA, Ga. – GRU Augusta handled Limestone in straight sets on Tuesday night in Christenberry Fieldhouse, beating the Saints 3-0 for their second victory of the year.
The Jaguars (2-11) took a 3-0 run in set one of the non-conference matchup, with junior Chandler Mass on serve. Tthe Saints (5-8) rallied for a 6-all tie on a block assist from Nikko Eno and Regan Youngs. After Limestone evened it all 7-7, GRU rallied for a 15-11 run, leading to a Saints timeout. The score bounced from point-to-point with an eventual 21-21 mark. The Jags stole the lead on a Kristen Koch kill and won the set on two Limestone hitting errors. Koch and senior Jenna Keeler paced the offense in set one with five kills a piece, while Mass provided 11 assists.
GRU Augusta doubled its lead at 16-8 in set two on a serving ace from Mass. With junior Maggie Darling on serve at 21-15, the Jags scored the next four points to win the set off a Leslye Barnette kill. GRU outhit the Saints .210 to .112 in the second set and had three service aces to Limestone's zero.
A 3-0 start began Limestone's third set, but GRU tied it on a Barnette serve that nipped the net for an ace. GRU took the lead and never relinquished to take the set 24-18 and win the match 3-0. The Jags hit .184 on the night to Limestone's .074 and had 41 kills to the Saints' 26.
Koch paced the offense with 17 kills and Keeler helped with 14. Mass compiled 34 assists across the stes and Darling dug 22 attacks to lead the team. Paige Tuttle, Kailla Baptiste, Barnette, and Mass all had one block on the night to will the Jags to a win. For Limestone, Youngs knocked a team-leading 14 kills, Elayna Meachum had 22 assists, and Nikki Daily and Meachum each had seven digs.
GRU Augusta hits the road for a PBC match this Friday, Oct. 4 at Francis Marion.