Box Score AIKEN, S.C.--USC Aiken (5-5) opened strong, fell behind, and then rallied for an exciting 3-2 win over the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras (6-3) in non-conference volleyball action on Wednesday night. Games scores were 30-22, 20-30, 25-30, 30-26, and 15-13. The middle tandem of Mandy Gerolstein and Laura Williams combined for 33 kills, 10 blocks, and hit .333. In the first match of the night, Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras swept past Augusta State 3-0 (30-27, 30-28, 30-24). 

Gerolstein registered 18 kills, five blocks, and one ace hitting .371. Williams added 15 kills and five blocks while Missy Deardorff chipped in nine kills and four blocks. Rachel Dalitz tallied 31 assists and a game-high three aces. Stephanie Durham had a team-best 13 digs. 

Alexandra Rosado recorded 26 kills and six blocks giving her 51 for the two days versus USCA. Sacha Valdes added 16 kills while Maridela Diaz had 13 kills and 10 digs.

In game one, USC Aiken raced to a 9-3 lead and never trailed, recording the 30-22 victory. The Lady Pacers hit .394 for the game. Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras did make it interesting with a 7-1 run to knot it up at 14-14, but the Lady Pacers responded by steadily pulling away for the win. 

A quick start by PR-RP in game two made it 8-1 out of the blocks and USCA was never able to recover falling 30-20. 

Game three appeared to be a mirror of game two with a 7-0 PR-RP run breaking open a 3-3 contest. Capped by a Hayden Johnson ace and an Amanda Timm kill, however, the Lady Pacers turned in their own 7-0 spurt to pull within 14-12. But five-straight by PR-RP pushed the bulge to 24-17 and propelled them to the 30-25 win. 

The Lady Pacers took control in game four reeling off 10-straight points on Veronica Seidle's serve and powered by three kills and a block from Williams to make it 15-7. Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras quickly got six back on their next service opportunity, but another late 5-0 run on Seidle's serve put the game away 30-26. 

The fifth and final game was as close as expected in a decisive game. Despite playing to 15, the contest featured nine ties with neither team ever leading by more than two points. Tied at 13-13, Williams notched a kill setting up match point and then a ball handling error on the next play gave USCA the win 15-13. In the final game, Gerolstein had six kills on seven attempts for an .857 hitting percentage. 

USC Aiken will travel to Savannah, Ga. this weekend to compete in the Armstrong Atlantic State Volleyball Clash. The Lady Pacers will face perennial power Tampa on Saturday at 1:00 PM followed by West Georgia at 5:00 PM. 

Short Box Score (Match)
PR-Rio Piedras vs USC Aiken (Sep 14, 2005 at Aiken, S.C.)
USC Aiken def. PR-Rio Piedras 30-22,20-30,25-30,30-26,15-13

PR-Rio Piedras (6-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Rosado, Alexandra 26-1-6; Valdes, Sacha 16-3-2; Diaz, Maridela 13-3-3; Lopez, Myrlena 5-0-1; Rentas, Ananis 3-0-1; Lopez, Marivi 3-0-8; Ayala, Betzadi 1-0-1; Sanchez, Maria 1-1-1; Totals 68-8-15.5. (Assists) - Sanchez, Maria 34; Ubinas, Celia 14. (Dig leaders) - Quiles, Malores 15; Diaz, Maridela 10; Valdes, Sacha 10; Rosado, Alexandra 8; Sanchez, Maria 8.

USC Aiken (5-5) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Gerolstein, Mandy 18-1-5; Williams, Laura 15-0-5; Deardorff, Missy 9-0-4; Baker, Katie 7-0-0; Durham, Stefanie 7-0-2; Timm, Amanda 5-0-1; Seidle, Veronica 3-3-0; Johnson, Hayden 0-1-0; Dalitz, Rachel 0-3-0; Totals 64-8-10.0. (Assists) - Dalitz, Rachel 31; Barcas, Cheryl 20. (Dig leaders) - Durham, Stefanie 13; Seidle, Veronica 11; Dalitz, Rachel 9; Spice, Danielle 8.

Site: Aiken, S.C. (The Courthouse)
Date: Sep 14, 2005 Attend: 189 Time: 2:05