AIKEN, S.C. – The GRU Augusta Jaguars (9-3, 2-2) lost a hard fought match to the USC Aiken Pacers (10-2, 4-0) three sets to one, (25-19, 22-25, 25-14, 25-20) on Friday night in a Peach Belt Conference match in the Convocation Center.
The Jaguars got off to a slow start as Aiken took a 14-4 advantage in set one. The Jaguars rallied to make it 17-19, but USC Aiken was too much and hung on to win the first set 25-19.
The Jaguars and Pacers battled back in forth in a close second set, with the Jaguars finishing on top, 25-22 to knot things at one-all.
The Pacers handedly won set three 25-14, though the Jaguars made it interesting in set four. After a solid start, too many costly errors proved to be the downfall for the Jaguars as they lost the final set 25-20 and finished with a team attack percentage of .109.
Freshman Kali Boatwright had another stand out performance leading the way for the Jags with 17 kills, 12 digs and three service aces. Katie Beresford had four blocks for the Jags and a .357 hitting percentage and Alyssa Latham added 24 assists. Catherine DeSilvester and Kristen Koch had 22 and 13 digs respectively. Junior Ashley Diedrich led the Pacers with 16 kills, Sheila Walsh added 29 assists, and Aly Johnson (.500 hit percentage) and Alicia Hines had four blocks each.
The Jags play a dual-match tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 27 in Anderson, S.C. GRU will play Coke College at 2:00 p.m. and Anderson at 4:00 p.m. LIVE STATS and LIVE VIDEO.