Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The regionally third-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team fell 3-1 to regionally fourth-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State on Saturday afternoon.

The match opened with Armstrong Atlantic earning a tough 25-23 victory in the first set. The Pirates would pull away for a 25-16 victory in the second game. The home crowd expecting a sweep, USC Aiken regrouped at intermission and returned to the court after halftime to earn a 25-22 win in the third set. The Pacer momentum would not last with AASU acquiring a 25-10 win in the fourth and eventual final game.

The loss is the sixth consecutive for the Pacers, which are now 13-15 overall in the 2009 season. The Pacers with the loss to the Pirates on Saturday are now 5-7 in the Peach Belt Conference.

Armstrong Atlantic improved to 9-2 in the PBC and 22-7 overall with Saturday's win over the Pacers. The Pirates are currently second in the league to No. 1 Flagler (9-1 PBC). The two will face on Nov. 4.

The Pirates avenged an earlier loss to the Pacers this season. The Pacers along with Flagler are the only ones to have taken down the Pirates in league action in 2009 presently. USC Aiken acquired a 3-1 win over AASU on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Convocation Center.

Lindsay Mortenson (Aliso Viejo, Cali./Santa Margartia Catholic) finished with a match-high 15 kills. The Pacer freshman hit an impressive .545 in the match. She was the only Pacer to obtain double-digit kills. Mortenson also had three blocks in the match.

Samantha Lukralle (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) ended the match leading the Pacers in digs with 15, while Lauren Cedeno (Jacksonville, Fla/Bishop Kenny) led the Pacers in assists with 20.

Three Pirates concluded the match with double-digit kills with Marina Marinova (13), Michelle Remlinger (11) and Katherine Standhardinger (11) all commandeering double-digit kills in the win over USC Aiken.

Kristin Standhardinger paced the Pirate attack in the match with 46 assists and 10 digs.

USC Aiken will next travel just up the road to face off against rival Augusta State at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.