Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken used a balanced scoring attack and nine aces en route to an outstanding 3-2 victory over visiting Montevallo Saturday afternoon. Set scores were 25-14, 20-25, 25-23, 10-25, 15-10.

The Pacers are now 11-5 on the season and 4-2 against Peach Belt Conference competition.

Endea Ellison and Taylor Stratton each pounded home nine kills to pace USC Aiken. Shawn Hotson added seven while Ashley Diedrich accounted for six. Aly Johnson and Leah Rodgers connected for four kills apiece.

Sheila Walsh led the team with 23 assists while Amanda Bologna notched a double-double with 14 assists and 11 digs.

Behind the stripe, the Pacers were good for nine aces, three of which came from the dynamic serve of Walsh. Danielle Mercer and Bologna had two aces apiece while Stratton and Hotson each had one.  

Mercer guided the team with a squad-high 21 digs while Hotson totaled 16. At the net, Johnson stuffed a match-high five attempts, including two of the solo variety. Ellison amassed four blocks while Hannah Tierney, Stratton and Diedrich all had three.

The Pacers took control of the opening frame after falling behind early. Through solid play, the squad took a 16-8 lead when Tierney and Hotson stuffed a shot. The team gradually pulled away, finishing the set on an ace by Bologna.

After dropping the second set, USC Aiken came back and took the third stanza. Tied at 13, the Pacers took control of the set after a service error gave the ball back to the squad. Ellison and Stratton blocked a shot and an attack error pushed the margin to 16-13. The team maintained a three-point edge and made the score 23-20 on a kill by Stratton. The teams traded errors, but an error by the visitors allowed the Pacers to clinch the set.

The visitors forced the fifth set, but head coach Glenn Cox's team controlled the final frame from the outset.

Bologna served up an ace to open things up and an attack error made it 2-0. Leading 2-1, Rodgers hammered home a thunderous shot to push the margin to three. Johnson and Stratton combined for a block, forcing a time-out with the score at 5-1.

Leading 5-4, the Pacers earned their next point off a service error. Stratton continued the run with a kill. A miscue by the visitors and kills from Ellison and Diedrich made the score 10-5. USC Aiken recorded kills from Diedrich, Hotson and Johnson, making it 14-9. Leading 14-10, Rodgers completed the victory for the team after a long rally. She took a pass from Hotson and found a spot near the back of the court for the clinching point.

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they travel to GRU Augusta. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start.