Box Score PEMBROKE, N.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team overcame a 2-1 set deficit and produced a strong fifth frame, propelling the squad past UNC Pembroke 3-2 in a key Peach Belt Conference match. Set scores were 25-15, 20-25, 15-25, 25-20, 15-11.

The Pacers improve to 14-7 overall and 7-4 against conference foes.

In the first set, head coach Glenn Cox's team led 12-11, but Hannah Tierney and Ashley Lind each slammed home kills why Shawn Hotson stuffed a shot, giving the squad a 15-11 advantage. The team extended the margin to five at 19-14 on a miscue by the Braves. The mistake sparked a 7-1 run to complete the first stanza victory.

The Pacers trailed 8-4 in the second set, but fought back thanks in part to Endea Ellison and Taylor Stratton to take a 16-15 lead. However, UNC Pembroke went on a 5-1 run, earning the victory by a five-point edge.

The Pacers dropped third set and facing a loss, the squad dug deep and pulled out a five-point win in the fourth frame. Trailing 6-3, USC Aiken embarked on a 9-3 run, taking the 12-9 lead. During the run, Katie Toman subbed in and served an ace and Sheila Walsh found Hannah Tierney for a huge kill. The designated visitors pushed the margin to five on a block by Aly Johnson and Ashley Lind. The team then cruised to the 25-20 victory to force the deciding set.

After UNC Pembroke jumped out to a 3-1 lead, the home team committed back-to-back errors, tying the score. Leah Rodgers and Lind garnered back-to-back kills for a 5-3 margin. The Braves pulled within two at 11-9, but Johnson, Rodgers, Lind and Tierney posted kills, securing the 15-11 win. In the set, the team hit .385 on 12 kills against just two errors.  

The Pacers hit .200 for the match compared to .155 for the Braves. USC Aiken also held an 8-6 margin at the net in terms of total blocks. UNC Pembroke tallied 35 errors in the match compared to just 18 by the Pacers.  

For the match, USC Aiken was led by Lind and Tierney, who each sliced the defense for 10 kills and Ashley Diedrich amassed eight kills en route to a .368 attack percentage. Rodgers added seven while Shawn Hotson and Johnson had five apiece. Walsh added a double-double with 14 assists and 10 digs while Amanda Bologna led the squad with 30 assists.

Danielle Mercer led the team with 14 digs. Hotson chipped in 13. At the net, Stratton, Hotson, Lind and Tierney all had solo blocks. Tierney and Hotson each accounted for two block assists.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow in another Peach Belt Conference contest. USC Aiken travels to Francis Marion for a 1 p.m. match. The squad will then play St. Augustine's in a neutral site non-conference affair at 3 p.m.