Flagler’s offense overpowers Augusta as Saints sweep the Jags
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — In a matchup between two of the Peach Belt Conference’s top programs, the Flagler Saints delivered an impressive offensive performance to sweep the Augusta Jaguars in straight sets (25–16, 25–23, 25–19) on Friday night in St. Augustine.
The Saints came out firing in the opening set, jumping to a 5–0 lead and never looking back. Flagler’s attack overwhelmed the Jaguars early, racking up 18 kills in the first frame alone. Despite Augusta limiting its own errors, the Saints’ offensive rhythm proved too much as they took the set 25–16 behind a dominant effort from Marley Middlebrooks, who tallied six kills in the opening set.
The second set was more competitive, with Augusta finding better rhythm on offense. However, Flagler continued to control the pace and edged out a 25–23 win to take a two-set lead.
The story remained the same in the third, as the Saints’ attack continued to execute at a high level, closing out the sweep with a 25–19 victory. Flagler finished the night hitting .327 as a team, recording 47 kills on 75 total points. Middlebrooks led the Saints with 16 kills on a .367 hitting percentage, while five different Saints recorded five or more kills in a balanced offensive showing.
For Augusta, Mia Saavedra led the team with eight kills while hitting .227, shifting to an outside hitter role for the match. Saavedra said she focused on simply doing whatever she could to create momentum.
“While hitting, I was just trying to do anything on the court to get some point and momentum going,” Saavedra said. “Then in passing get as many ups as possible to do my part.”
Layne Witherspoon and Lauren Nelson followed with five kills apiece, while Sydney Harrington led with 21 assists and Giulia Rodrigues anchored the back row with 10 digs.
After the match, Witherspoon noted that the Jaguars’ defensive cohesion will be key heading into Saturday’s rematch.
“Defensively we were all over the place,” said Witherspoon. “We just need to feel each other out more and know where we are on the court in regards to another and just play volleyball. We know how to play, we played with each other for 26 games, just play volleyball.”
The Jaguars were held to a .133 team hitting percentage, one of their lowest marks of the season, as they struggled to find consistent answers to Flagler’s attack.
With the loss, Augusta (21–5, 9–1 PBC) suffered its first conference defeat of the season. Flagler (15–11, 8–2 PBC) narrowed the gap in the standings as both teams continue to battle for the right to host the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.
The two programs will meet again on Saturday, Nov. 1, for a rematch in St. Augustine, a chance for the Jaguars to respond quickly and reclaim their momentum in the PBC race.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
Note: At the top of the page, Mia Saavedra (5) dishes out an assist. (Bell Ringer file photo)
Below, Setter Sydney Harrington (13) sets the outside. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
