CHARLOTTE, N.C. For the third consecutive season the Augusta Jaguars opened their season at the Queens University of Charlotte Invitational on Friday night at Levine Center for Wellness and Recreation on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte. In day one action, Augusta rallied from a 2-0 hole to take down Belmont Abbey 3-2 in the season opener.
The recent storms in the southeast region of the nation forced the Queens Invitational to push back times and rearrange the schedule. Augusta was originally set to face Lenoir-Rhyne and Belmont Abbey, but the L-R match was cancelled.
Against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders, Augusta trailed 2-0 and found themselves in a win or go home third set. In set three the score was tied 13 times, but the Jags hung on for a 27-25 win to force a fourth set.
Augusta made a statement with a 25-12 set-four win – the largest margin of win in the match. Augusta senior Jordan Bickett put the team on the scoreboard first with an opening kill in set five, but Belmont rallied and tied the match at 7-7. The Jaguars retook the momentum and remained on top as the Crusaders recorded three attack errors in the final three points to drop the match.
Jags sophomore Savanna Gonzales led the team with 16 kills and got in on three blocks. Sophomore Blair Bolton and freshman Savanna Roy each had 12 kills in the win, while Roy added 17 digs. Senior Cat DeSilvester dug 25 shots and new freshman setter Sammie Baker notched 44 assists and 14 digs.
Augusta's squad posted a .188 attack percentage to the Crusaders' .070.
The Jags are set to face Catawba and host Queens Saturday, Sept. 3 to wrap up the non-conference tournament.
The event consists of nine teams made up from the Peach Belt Conference (PBC), Southern Athletic Conference (SAC), and the Conference Carolinas.
The event features Queens (SAC), Catawba College (SAC), Lenoir- Rhyne University (SAC), Lander University (PBC), Augusta University (PBC), Francis Marion University (PBC) USC Aiken (PBC), Belmont Abbey College (Conference Carolinas), and Wingate University (SAC).
JAGS SCHEDULE @ QUEENS INVITE
Friday, Sept. 2
Augusta vs. Belmont Abbey, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3
Augusta vs. Catawba, 12:45 p.m.
Augusta vs. Queens, 7:00 p.m.
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