SAVANNAH, Ga. – A service ace by freshman Leah Rodgers in the fourth set capped an important Peach Belt Conference road victory for the USC Aiken volleyball team over the Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic State 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Armstrong's ARC Arena. The victory marks the first time since the 2007 campaign and since former USC Aiken head volleyball coach Will Condon took the helm of the Pirates' program that USC Aiken has defeated the Pirates in Savannah.

The win on the road leaves the Pacers at 5-6 overall and lift them back to an even 2-2 in Peach Belt action while the Pirates drop to 7-5 overall and find themselves an even 1-1 in conference action.

The Pacers claimed the first set 25-20 and then a hard battle erupted resulting in a 29-27 Pacer victory in the second set. The Pirates fought back and claimed a close third set 25-23 before the Pacers charged to victory in the fourth set 25-22.

Seven Pacers recorded multiple kills with two earning double-digit kills in the match with South Carolina Education Lottery USC Aiken Student Athlete of the Week Shannon Byers (Morristown, Minn./Faribault) recording her fifth double-double of the season with 12 kills and 11 digs. The freshman duo of Rodgers (Longwood, Fla./Lake Mary) and Emily Maassen (Ellisville, Mo./Marquette) continued to impress with Rodgers recording 11 kills and Maassen adding nine of her own.

Sophomore setters Ashley Farwell (Wake Forest, N.C./Wake Forest Rolseville) and Alex Petock (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) recorded double-digit assists with Farwell leading all players in the match with 27 and Petock adding 16 of her own. Samantha Lukralle (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) led USC Aiken's back row and defensive effort with a match-high 24 digs.

Armstrong's Brittany Wolf led all players with 14 kills in the contest while Jessica Santaniello added 12 of her own.

Despite the loss, the Pirates just barely out-hit the Pacers .183 to .107 with USC Aiken recording three more kills than Armstrong (50-47).

After their short but tough road foray, USC Aiken now returns home for a pair of conference matches within the friendly confines of the Convocation Center. The Pacers will next welcome the Patriots of Francis Marion on Friday, Sept. 24 for a 7 p.m. PBC tilt on the court.