Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Blue Hose
Volleyball Survive Augusta State for a 3-0 Win
Three PC Players Posted
Double-Digit Kills
CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College volleyball squad returned to the win column on Wednesday night as the Blue Hose handed the visiting Jaguars of Augusta State University their first loss of the 2006 campaign with a 3-0 (30-28, 31-29, 30-27) setback in Ross E. Templeton Gym.
Augusta State jumped to a 3-0 lead in game one before the Blue Hose notched three straight points to knot the score at 4-4 on a kill by sophomore Justine Lanchester (Downs, Ill.). Neither team ever led by more than three points as both teams kept trading points throughout the game. An attacking error by the Jaguars helped PC tie the game at 28-28 then Lanchester served the Blue Hose to the win with back-to-back points on a ball handling error and a service ace.
It was déjà vu in game two as once again both teams played it close and neither team ever boasted a commanding lead. PC’s hitting percentage of .395 (20-3-43) helped the Blue Hose edge Augusta State in the second game as the Jaguars only hit .204 (17-7-49).
In game three, Augusta State rolled to a 9-4 advantage, forcing PC to call a timeout and regroup. The pep talk helped as the Blue Hose slowly fought their way back, tying the game at 12-12 on a service ace by freshman Julie Hollrah (Glenwood, Md.). The last tie score came at 17-17 as PC took control of the game, building a 29-23 margin. However, the Jaguars weren’t done and went on a 4-0 run to get within 29-27. Lanchester notched the winning point for the Blue Hose off an assist by sophomore Rachel Lewis (Bloomington, Ill.).
Lanchester finished the match with 11 kills and three aces in helping PC improve to 3-1 on the young season. Hollrah led all players with 17 kills, while junior Lauren Mason (Peachtree City, Ga.) contributed 16 kills and 12 digs. From her libero position, junior Jodi Palmer (Plain City, Ohio) picked up a game-high 19 digs. Lewis ended with 46 assists.
Augusta State’s offense was led by senior Sarah Lobstein’s (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 13 kills, while freshman Rachel Dyer’s (Dacula, Ga.) added 12. Defensively, freshman Lindsey Weider (Dacula, Ga.) notched 13 digs and sophomore Heather Lawrence (Pickering, Ontario) had 10. Junior Jessica Lowes dished out 23 assists.
The Blue Hose will return to action on Sept. 1-2 at the Ramada Limited Azalea Classic hosted by Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga. PC will face Saint Leo University and the host, Valdosta State, on Sept. 1, closing out the tournament against Florida Institute of Technology on Sept. 2. Augusta State will also be at the same tournament this weekend and open up against Coker College on Friday.