WINGATE, N.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team posted a 3-0 win over Lincoln Memorial in first round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 22-4 on the season while the Railsplitters end the year at 20-10.

USC Aiken was led by a solid all-around team effort. Anita Cookey-Gam led the way with 10 kills while Alie Smith and Kayla Duggan added nine each. Christine Carroll totaled eight kills in the win.

Ali Kirk posted 21 assists while Alli Bell had 12. Defensively, Rebecca Martinez had 16 digs while Smith tallied 11. Carroll had three aces while Brittani Vialdores totaled six blocks. Duggan chipped in four.

A service error gave USC Aiken an 8-6 lead in the opening frame. The team extended the margin on an ace by Smith. However, the Railsplitters battled back, taking the lead midway through the set. Trailing 19-17, the Pacers called time-out and promptly responded. Kills from Carroll and Smith knotted the score at 22-22. After trading points, Kirk took a pass from Martinez and flipped it over the net for a point. Carroll ended the frame with a sensational ace and the 25-23 win.

Cox's team found itself trailing 13-9 in the second stanza, but Kirk pounded home a ball to trim the deficit to three at 13-10. A miscue by LMU and a kill from Smith pulled the Pacers within one. An attack error tied the set at 15-15 before Smith's kill gave USC Aiken a 16-15 advantage. An error by the Railsplitters gave USC Aiken an 18-17 lead. Duggan followed it up with a thunderous kill.

Leading 20-18, Cox's group was out of system and was brilliant. The play saw Alli Bell diving off the court to save the ball and Anita Cookey-Gam finishing the play with a kill. With the score at 23-18, an error gave the Pacers set point. After a point by LMU, an error by the visitors sealed the 25-19 victory for USC Aiken.  

The Pacers fought from behind once again in the third set, but managed to maintain a 14-11 lead, forcing a time-out by LMU. After a close play went USC Aiken's way, Smith served up an ace for a 21-16 advantage. Duggan's shot over three defenders maintained the margin at 22-17. Cookey-Gam's kill ended the set at 25-22.  

The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they take on Georgia College at 5 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.

Postgame Interview