Jaguars rally late but come up short in NCAA Regional showdown
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in Chief
Augusta’s remarkable 2025 volleyball season came to an emotional close Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Southeast Regional, as the Jaguars fell 3–1 to a dominant Anderson University squad. Despite a slow start, Augusta showed tremendous heart, fighting back in the third and fourth sets to push the Trojans to the brink before ultimately coming up short.
After the match, Layne Witherspoon said that she stayed composed by grounding herself in the team’s purpose.
“The thing that allowed me to stay so composed despite the pressure is that we were playing for the seniors and we were playing for fun,” she said. “Remember why we play volleyball — we play because we like it, we like our team, and we like the sport. That takes a lot of pressure off. Yes, this is do-or-die, but we do it because it’s fun, not because it’s a job.”
The first set opened with both teams exchanging early side-outs, but Anderson was the first to settle in. A devastating seven-point Trojan run—fueled largely by tough serving, including three aces from Jamie Juhnevicz, that put Augusta in an early 10–2 hole. Augusta struggled mightily in serve-receive during this stretch, giving Anderson too many free balls and allowing their offense to operate comfortably in system."
This is a team that heavily relied on the faith to push through the hardships. Above, the team can be seen in their prayer circle that they would hold before every game. (photo by Rodrigo Burgos Avila/the Bell Ringer)
The Jaguars showed a spark late in the set, with kills from Witherspoon and Lauren Nelson helping AU chip away at the deficit. But Anderson’s outside hitter Ana Reeves, who was dominant all afternoon, slammed the door shut with an emphatic kill to take the opener 25–18.
The second set followed a similar script. Augusta scored first on a Trojan error but could not sustain momentum as Anderson’s hustle, block discipline, and tempo overwhelmed the Jags. Junior and freshmen stars Reeves and Mikaylah Hedlund took control of the attack, combining for numerous kills as the Trojans built a 10–4 lead. Despite solid swings from Nelson, Snitsarevych, and Witherspoon, Augusta never found consistent rhythm, and Anderson stormed to a 25–14 win and a 2–0 match lead.
Facing elimination, Augusta responded with pride. The third set quickly became the most competitive stretch of volleyball in the match, with the Jaguars finally returning to their identity, cleaner passing, better block touches, and more aggressive swings. Nelson came alive at the service line with back-to-back aces, and Giulia Rodrigues delivered her own ace shortly after to give AU a 9–7 lead.
Although Anderson briefly retook the lead behind Hedlund and Reeves, Augusta erupted for an eight-point run powered by elite blocking from Angela Mateos, Snitsarevych and Witherspoon. Nelson and Hunter MacFarland added key plays behind the line, and the Jags closed out the set 25–20, extending their season at least one set longer.
As Augusta adjusted, they simplified their approach and leaned on their strengths. Senior outside hitter Nelson emphasized that the turning point came when the team trusted the fundamentals.
“I’d say just going out there and realizing that if you overdo it, it’s not going to work. You just have to get down to the basics and focus on them because that’s what wins games.”
The fourth set showcased the heart of this Augusta team. Down early once again, the Jaguars responded behind a massive surge from Sydney Harrington, who delivered three straight service aces to tie the set at 9–9. Nelson, Witherspoon, and Mia Saavedra contributed kill after kill as Augusta built brief leads and kept the momentum swinging.
Still, Anderson refused to fold. Reeves and Hedlund continued their relentless attacking, and the Trojans capitalized on key service aces to regain control late. With the season on the line, Augusta fought back to within 24–22 after late kills from Lauren Posa and Witherspoon, but Anderson secured the final point and took the set 25–22, ending the Jaguars’ postseason run.
Despite falling short, Augusta’s fight reflected how much the team had grown over the year — especially in moments when resilience mattered most. Witherspoon noted how proud she was of the team’s evolution.
“I’m most proud of us really learning to fight. In the first two sets we just didn’t have it in us, and I think learning that if we just get out of our heads and play the game, we can do amazing things. Yes, it took us the whole season to get there, but I’m really proud of them for realizing that by just supporting each other we can make volleyball fun.”
Layne Witherspoon (20) serves it up during a match earlier in the season. She led the Jaguars in kills this season and earned an All Region honorable mention. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
Statistically, Nelson led Augusta with 11 kills on .250 hitting, while junior middle hitter Layne Witherspoon — an AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention this season — added 10 kills on an efficient .421 clip. Saavedra and Snitsarevych each contributed 8 kills, and libero Giulia Rodrigues anchored the defense with a match-high 15 digs. Harrington and Saavedra combined for 41 assists to orchestrate the offense.
For Anderson, Reeves finished with 18 kills on .350 hitting, Hedlund added 14 kills on .353, and Emily Campbell and Mia Elder chipped in nine kills each. Setter Ellie Nieporte delivered a 38-assist, 10-dig double-double to guide the Trojan attack.
Beyond this match alone, Augusta’s season was filled with historic accomplishments and individual accolades that underscored the program’s continued rise. Graduate libero Rodrigues became the first player in program history to earn PBC Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year, leading the conference in digs (538) and digs per set (4.72) while recording 11 matches with 20 or more digs.
Freshman outside hitter Sofiia Snitsarevych made an immediate impact, earning PBC Freshman of the Year, Augusta’s first since 2016, after finishing second in the conference in blocks and contributing 249 kills. Both Rodrigues and Snitsarevych earned Second Team All-Conference honors, while First Team selections went to senior outside hitter Nelson, who led the team with 330 kills and 367 points, and Witherspoon, who posted 324 kills on an impressive .296 hitting percentage.
As a unit, Augusta compiled 1,516 kills, 2,057 digs, and 220.5 total blocks over 117 sets, averaging 12.0 assists and 17.6 digs per set while hitting .197 as a team. Their consistent play throughout the year earned the Jaguars their eighth NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014.
This season also marked a milestone for Head Coach Sharon Quarles, who secured her sixth 25-win season at Augusta, joining her elite campaigns in 2014, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Beyond the numbers, the team’s bond defined the season. For Nelson, her final year was about the relationships she built.
“The fact that this team was so close… I’m taking away friendships. These girls will be at my wedding one day, and I’m so grateful.”
In her final reflection as a Jaguar, she expressed deep gratitude for the journey that volleyball has taken her on.
“This sport means more than just a game. Every school I went to, I wanted something more — opportunities to grow. I am forever grateful for every coach, teammate, and support staff that brought me to this moment, and I will never forget this experience.”
Despite the heartbreak of the final match, the Jaguars exit the postseason having built another chapter of excellence, one defined by resilience, growth, and a standard that continues to elevate Augusta volleyball on the national stage.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
Libero Giulia Rodrigues (4) became the first player in program history to win the PBC Specialist of the year award this season. She also earned Second-Team All Conference Honors. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
