GREENEVILLE, Tenn., – The Augusta Jaguars competed in day two of the SAC/Peach Belt Challenge on Saturday afternoon on the campus of Tusculum College and won 3-2 over Mars Hill before falling 3-1 to co-host Tusculum College.
Hosted by both Carson-Newman University in Jefferson, City, Tenn., and Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn., the SAC/Peach Belt Challenge welcomed teams from the South Atlantic Conference and Peach Belt Conference for a two-day event. In day one on Friday, Augusta fell 3-1 to Lincoln Memorial and 3-2 to Carson-Newman.
The Jaguars played their second-consecutive five set battle in a 3-2 win over Mars Hill in the opening match on Saturday. The Jags jumped to a hot start with 25-17 and 25-16 wins in the first two sets. Mars Hill matched and stole two sets to force a fifth, but Augusta outlasted for a 16-14 victory.
Seniors Rachel Windle and Jordan Bickett matched 13 kills each, while Bickett booked 15 digs and five assists. On the service line, sophomore Blair Bolton shined with five aces. Bolton added seven kills and four blocks and sophomore Savanna Gonzales conjured up 10 kills and four digs.
Senior Catherine DeSilvester led Augusta with 26 digs. Freshman Sammie Baker contributed 19 digs and 24 assists and freshman Payton Murchie produced 22 assists and nine digs. The Jags outhit the Lions .198 to .149.
Mars Hill was led by Maddie Spurgeon's 13 kills, Victoria Kaiser's 28 digs, and Andie Russell's 40 assists.
Facing co-host Tusculum on their home court to conclude the non-conference event, Augusta slipped 3-1.
Bickett led the squad again with 17 kills and 14 digs, Hedrick had 11 kills and five blocks, and DeSilvester dug 19 balls.
On Tuesday, Oct. 18 the Augusta Jaguars host the annual PINK OUT match to raise awareness and support for the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University. Augusta hosts Lander for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
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