AIKEN, S.C. – Five-set matches have become the norm for the University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team who claimed another 3-2 victory Friday night at the Convocation Center over the visiting King Tornado to kick off the 2010 Pacer Volleyball Invitational.

The Tornado blew through the first two sets 25-23 and 25-20 before the Pacers found new life to claim the next two sets 25-21 and 25-17. The Pacers then took advantage of an exhausted King squad in the fifth set, racing out to a 7-0 lead before claiming the set 15-5 while King failed to record a single kill in the final set.

With the win, USC Aiken improves to an even .500 on the season at 11-11 after dealing the Tornado just their fifth loss of the season to move King to 19-5 for the 2010 season.

The Pacers started off slow, but slowly gained momentum throughout the match with nine players finishing with multiple kills and two players earning a double-double. Senior Megan Disney (Knoxville, Tenn./Karns) had a career night leading all players with an impressive 14 kills  along with five total blocks.

Shannon Byers (Morristown, Minn./Faribault) appeared to be disposed of early in the match, but rallied back to earn an impressive 10th double-double with 13 digs in the contest. Sophomore setter Ashley Farwell (Wake Forest, N.C./Wake Forest-Rolesville) also recorded another double-double ending the match with 26 assists and 11 digs to go along with three service aces.

Samantha Lukralle (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) also added a stellar performance to the match recording a match-high 34 digs and two service aces. In total, the Pacers recorded 10 service aces on the night as well as six total blocks.

Morgan Machen led the Tornado attack with 11 kills while teammate Sarah Van Goethem was right behind with 10 terminations. Setter Shannon Earwood recorded a double-double on the night with a match-high 39 assists and 13 digs.

USC Aiken was able to out-hit the Tornado .161-.093 and recorded 13 total kills more than King. The Pacers' 10 service aces bested King's tally of five.

The Pacers' tournament will continue tomorrow with a pair of non-conference matches on the main arena floor. USC Aiken will first take on the Senators of Davis & Elkins in a match at high noon before closing out the 2010 Pacer Volleyball Invitational with a 4 p.m. region match against the Cobras of Coker College.

2010 Pacer Volleyball Invitational Day One Results