Box Score AUGUSTA, Ga.--Sophomore middle hitter Mandy Gerolstein registered 21 kills to lead fourth-seeded USC Aiken (16-13) to a 3-1 win over fifth-seeded UNC Pembroke (11-21) in the opening round of the 2005 Peach Belt Conference Volleyball Tournament at the Christenberry Fieldhouse. Game scores were 30-19, 27-30, 30-23, and 30-20. The win snaps a string of three-straight opening round losses for the Lady Pacers as they advance to the PBC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2001 (MANDY GEROLSTEIN PICTURED). 

Gerolstein who, along with senior setter Rachel Dalitz, was named to the All-Conference team last night, had 21 kills and just two errors in 44 total attacks for a .432 hitting percentage. She also had eight blocks including four solo, and one ace for 28.0 points. 

Sophomore Amanda Timm added 12 kills and two aces hitting .321 while Laura Williams and Missy Deardorff added 13 and 11 kills respectively. Hayden Johnson recorded 24 digs at the libero position while Dalitz dished out 58 assists to go with 16 digs and two aces. 

Sarah Harrison paced the Lady Braves with 19 kills and three blocks, but hit just .092. Alicia Hill added 13 kills and 10 digs. 

After taking game one by a decisive 30-19 margin, the Lady Pacers stumbled in game two falling 30-27. USCA, however, rallied midway through the third set to pull away to the 3-1 win. 

USC Aiken will take on top-seed and regular season champion Armstrong Atlantic State in Friday night's second semifinal at 5:00 PM.

Short Box Score (Match)
#5 UNC Pembroke vs #4 USC Aiken (Nov 11, 2005 at Augusta, Ga.)
USC Aiken def. UNC Pembroke 30-19,27-30,30-23,30-20

UNC Pembroke (11-21, 4-8 PBC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Harrison, Sarah 19-2-3; Hill, Alicia 13-2-2; Niesborella, Rebekah 6-0-1; Jablonski, Jenna 5-0-3; Newhouse, April 3-1-6; Milbank, Rachelle 1-0-2; Cogdill, Alex 1-1-0; Totals 48-6-9.0. (Assists) - Milbank, Rachelle 40. (Dig leaders) - Cogdill, Alex 24; Niesborella, Rebekah 14; Milbank, Rachelle 13; Hill, Alicia 10; Harrison, Sarah 8. 

USC Aiken (16-13, 7-5 PBC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Gerolstein, Mandy 21-1-8; Williams, Laura 13-0-1; Timm, Amanda 12-2-0; Deardorff, Missy 11-1-4; Durham, Stefanie 6-1-0; Baker, Katie 5-0-1; Dalitz, Rachel 2-2-0; Johnson, Hayden 0-2-0; Totals 70-9-10.0. (Assists) - Dalitz, Rachel 58. (Dig leaders) - Johnson, Hayden 24; Durham, Stefanie 18; Dalitz, Rachel 16; Deardorff, Missy 15; Timm, Amanda 8. 

Site: Augusta, Ga. (Christenberry Fldhs.)
Date: Nov 11, 2005 Attend: 89 Time: 1:49 
Referees: Bob Wnukowski, Greg Fletcher