Jaguars face early test away from home
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief
The Augusta University women’s volleyball team is set to open the 2025 season with a challenging road slate, beginning with three matches in Lakeland, Fla.
The Jaguars, coached by Sharon Quarles, will start play on Friday, Sept. 5, with a 10 a.m. matchup against Saint Leo, followed by a 4 p.m. test against Hillsdale. The opening weekend wraps up on Saturday, Sept. 6, when Augusta takes on host Florida Southern at 5 p.m.
The early schedule offers little time to settle in, as Augusta heads straight into another competitive weekend. The Jaguars will travel to Aiken on Sept. 12–13 for a neutral-site set of matches against North Greenville, Mount Olive and Francis Marion.
In total, Augusta will play nine consecutive matches away from home before finally returning to Christenberry Fieldhouse. The long road stretch will test the Jaguars’ depth and composure while giving the team an opportunity to build chemistry early in the season.
The home opener is set for Friday, Sept. 26, when Augusta welcomes Middle Georgia State and Mount Olive. That night will mark the first chance for fans to see the Jaguars on their home floor, where the team will look to establish momentum heading into conference play.
With back-to-back weekends of tough competition on the road, Augusta’s early stretch could prove crucial in setting the tone for the 2025 campaign.
Quarles is beginning her 17th season at the AU helm. She is 324-196 at Augusta. In the preseason coaches’ poll, the Jaguars were picked to finish second in the Peach Belt Conference behind Lander.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
One of AU’s top returning players, Layne Witherspoon (20) gets the dig in last week’s Blue-Grey intrasquad scrimmage at Christenberry Fieldhouse. At the top of the page, Sydney Harrington (13) serves in the Blue-Grey match. The Jaguars’ serving needs some work, according to AU Coach Sharon Quarles. (photos by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
