Balanced attack, serving lift Augusta University past Motevallo
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief
The Augusta University Jaguars hit a season-best .275 as four different attackers posted double-digit kills in a 3-1 win over Montevallo (23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-17) on Friday Sept. 19, at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.
After dropping a tight first set, the Jags bounced back with late rallies in the second and third sets before pulling away in the fourth behind steady serving and balanced scoring.
Lauren Nelson led the way with a match-high 17 kills while hitting .318 and Layne Witherspoon added 14 kills on an impressive .433 hitting. Mia Saavedra added 15 kills, and Serenity Jones chipped in 10 from the right side. Setter Sydney Harrington dished out 61 assists, keeping the Jaguars’ offense in rhythm, while Giulia Rodrigues (16 digs) and Hunter MacFarland (15 digs) anchored the back row.
For AU Coach Sharon Quarles, the offensive balance was a difference-maker.
“We were firing on all cylinders,” Quarles said. “Layne hit .433, Nelson hit .318, and Serenity gave us production on the right side. That kind of balance keeps teams honest and they can’t just key in on two players like Layne and Mia.”
Serving runs also swung momentum late.
“We were weaponizing our serve,” Quarles said. “Libby [Nickels] served, and Hunter served, Layne was there consistently as well as Mia, so that was a way to generate points too, offensively.”
Quarles added that the team’s strong finish showed a glimpse of their ceiling.
“There’s huge upside, we are so far from peaking,” she said. “It’s a work in progress, but it’s fun.”
Senior Lauren Nelson, who provided both offense and energy, emphasized her leadership on the court.
“Sometimes you’ve got to be a leader in your own way,” Nelson said. “I’ll always follow my captains, but I think it comes down to being a leader for those who need more voice. Energy is what brings this team together.”
She credited Libby Nichols’ serving run for swinging the third set in Augusta’s favor.
“Libby’s a little fireball of energy,” Nelson said. “As soon as that dies, we’ve got to pick it back up.”
For Nelson, her approach was also rooted in faith.
“I kept Philippians 4:13 in my head every time we went out on the court,” she said. “God is present in my game, and I use His strength every day.”
Nichols, who delivered two crucial serving runs, said her mindset was simple.
“I just wanted to put us at a good standpoint ‘cause we needed something big to happen for the set to change in our favor,” Nichols said.
When the match turned toward the finish, Nichols embraced her coach’s message.
“Coach said it’s now or never, and that was in my head when I was serving. Either now or we’re never going to get an opportunity, so I wanted to make the best of it.”
With the win, Augusta improves to 6-2 and will look to carry momentum into Saturday’s matchup against Mississippi College. The match will tip off at 1 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
At the top of the page: The Jaguars celebrate a point during their 3-1 win over Montevallo on Friday Sept. 19.
At the bottom of the page: Setter Sydney Harrington (13) dishes out one of her 61 assists during the match against Montevallo. (Photos by Lydia Williams/Bell Ringer)
