AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team picked up a 3-0 win over Georgia College Friday evening in the home opener.

The Pacers are now 5-2 on the season while the Bobcats fall to 3-4.

Alie Smith led everyone with 18 kills while hitting .286. She added 12 digs for a double-double. The 18 kills marked the seventh most in a three-set match in school history.

Sydney Bresee accounted for 10 kills and five total blocks. Kayla Duggan and Alisha Pitt had seven kills apiece while Kaitlyn Rodriguez tallied six kills.  

Caroline Foster dished out 42 assists and had 12 digs for a double-double.

Defensively, Kari Mercer tallied 28 digs. Kayla Duggan added 13 digs to go along with four total blocks.

In the first set, the teams were tied at 13-13 before Smith sparked a 4-0 spurt for the home team. She posted two kills while Pitt had one in the run. Tied at 23-23, Rodriguez buried a pass from Smith before Smith ended the set with a kill.

USC Aiken took control in the second stanza, taking a 15-10 lead on a service error by the visitors. The Pacers extended the advantage to seven after back-to-back blocks as both included Bresee. Kayla Duggan and Rodriguez were also in on the blocks. The Bobcats made it 24-17, but Smith hammered home another pass from Foster for the set winner.

Trailing 10-7 in the third frame, USC Aiken embarked on a 6-0 run, forcing a time-out by the visitors. Bresee notched back-to-back kills while Smith and Rodriguez added one apiece. Leading 19-14, Rodriguez and Bresee posted kills for a 21-14 score. The duo combined for a block. After a miscue by the Bobcats, Kayla Duggan had a kill before an error ended the match.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow at home when they host Flagler at 3 p.m.