Augusta Volleyball set for home opener weekend
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief
Augusta University’s volleyball team opens its home schedule this Friday, Sept. 26, at Christenberry Fieldhouse, hosting Middle Georgia State at 3 p.m. and Mount Olive at 6 p.m.
The Jaguars (7-2) will then travel Saturday for a conference matchup against Georgia College at 3p.m. Standout right side Angela Mateos will once again be sidelined with an abdominal strain.
This weekend comes with added meaning for sophomore defensive specialist Hunter MacFarland, who will face her sister Cara McFarland, the coach at Middle Georgia State, during Parent’s Weekend.
“I know that Middle Georgia State has a good team,” Hunter MacFarland said. “My sister is a good coach, so I know that what she has taught me throughout the years, she’s taught to her players as well, so I know that they’re gonna come prepared, and I know they’re gonna come fighting, so we gotta lock in and do our best,” Hunter said.
“And then mentally, I just have to play my game. I know all eyes are going to be on me, because my sister is across the net, and my family is in the stands, but my sister and I have a great relationship, and whatever happens happens.”
She added that the sibling showdown gives her a little extra push.
“Definitely extra motivation,” she said. “We’ve had conversations, she’s joking with me saying that she’s gonna serve me every single ball… but honestly, that’s getting me more digs, so she can bring it on. I know it’s gonna be a great game.”
The Jaguars will also lean on freshman outside hitter Sofiia Snitsarevych, who has found her rhythm in her first nine games for AU.
“We know what our goal is for the season. We know what we have to do, and it’s like our job. We cannot be unfocused on the game because that’s why we’re doing these practices, that’s why we wake up at 5a.m. for morning trainings, that’s why we lift,” Snitsarevych said.
As for her personal approach, Snitsarevych keeps it simple.
“In my mind, it’s only one thing,” she said. “I have to score points and I have to help my team win.”
The Jags come into the weekend with added recognition. Senior outside hitter Layne Witherspoon was named Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week after posting 43 kills with a .363 hitting percentage, while senior setter Sydney Harrington earned Specialist of the Week for the second time this season, leading the conference in assists per set at 10.15.
With momentum from back-to-back wins and conference honors, the Jags look to make a statement in their home opener before heading to Georgia College on Saturday.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
Note: At the top of the page: Layne Witherspoon (20) and Sydney Harrington (13) rise for a block during recent non-conference play. The Jaguars open their home schedule Friday, Sept. 26, at Christenberry Fieldhouse. (photo by Lydia Williams/The Bell Ringer)
