AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team registered a pair of victories Saturday afternoon on the final day of the USC Aiken Invitational.
The Pacers improve to 7-1 on the season with the victories.
In the opener against Belmont Abbey, USC Aiken hit .299 while limiting the Crusaders to a .115 hitting percentage in the sweep. The squad tallied 64 digs while the visitors totaled 48.
Julia Forster and
Taylor Stratton had 13 kills apiece to lead the way for head coach
Glenn Cox's team.
Emily Teelon totaled 35 assists and 12 digs for a double-double.
Rebecca Martinez led everyone with a career-high 17 digs.
Danielle Mercer accounted for 15 in the victory.
Alicia Hines was sensational, hitting .500 with four kills without any miscues while also leading the way with four total blocks.
In the clinching set, the Pacers hit .395, totaling 18 kills to just three errors.
USC Aiken bested Lenoir-Rhyne by a 3-1 score in the final match of the tournament. The Pacers hit .282 while limiting the opposition to a mere .068 attack percentage.
Stratton led the way with a career-high 20 kills. Forster notched a double-double with 14 kills and a career-high 18 digs.
Hines remained spectacular, registering nine kills against no errors for a .429 attack percentage. Teelon narrowly missed a triple-double with 45 assists, 10 digs and seven kills. She hit .583 and did not commit an error. For good measure, Teelon had two blocks.
In the middle,
Kassy Johannsen registered four block assists.
Mercer garnered 26 digs to lead everyone as USC Aiken accounted for 82 in the win.
For their hard work, Mercer, Forster and Stratton were named to the all-tournament team.
The Pacers return to action Friday at 7 p.m., when they open PBC play by hosting UNC Pembroke. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
All-Tournament Team
Kristy Bohan – Montevallo
Julia Forster – USC Aiken
Sarah Johnshoy - Eckerd
Khiani Kelley – Lander
Kendall Korte - Lander
Danielle Mercer – USC Aiken
Taylor Stratton – USC Aiken
