Pirates Rally For Seventh Straight Volleyball Win

AIKEN, S.C. - The Armstrong Atlantic State University volleyball squad rallied from a two-sets-to-none deficit to claim a 3-2 Peach Belt Conference victory at USC Aiken on Saturday afternoon for the Pirates' seventh straight victory. Game scores were: 12-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-17, 15-12.

With the win, the Pirates (17-11, 6-5 PBC) moved into third place in the Peach Belt Conference standings, while USC Aiken (14-13, 6-6 PBC) slipped to fourth with the loss.

USC Aiken jumped out to the quick lead in the match, hitting .414 in the first-set win while the Pirates recorded just seven kills and hit .000. The Pirates heated up as the match went along, finally hitting their stride in the third-set win, hitting .265. Armstrong closed the match out in the fifth as Amanda Jones picked up four of her team-high 12 kills in the fifth set, including the match-winner.

Jones hit .409 in the match and also recorded three blocks to lead the Pirates, while senior Gwen Clarke hit .391 with 11 kills and four blocks. Freshman Megan Pando delivered 44 assists and four service aces while Torrie Bevolo notched 18 digs.

USC Aiken was led by Leah Rodgers and Shannon Byers, who each collected 11 kills, while Alex Petock notched 20 assists and Samantha Lukralle tallied 20 digs.

The Pirates return to action on Wednesday, November 3, hosting first-place Flagler at 7:00 p.m. at the ARC in Savannah.