Volleyball | May 20, 2024

AIKEN, S.C. - The University of South Carolina Aiken had many thrilling moments throughout the action-packed 2023-2024 season. Whether it was on the diamond, on the court, on the course, on the links or on the pitch, PacerSports.com is going to relive some of those unforgettable highlights that defines the Pacers' spirit a sport at a time.

Head coach Glenn Cox guided the squad to a 2-1 ledger at the season-opening Lenoir-Rhyne Tournament. After knocking off Mount Olive in the season opener by a 3-1 count, the team dismantled Converse 3-0 before falling in a hard-fought 3-2 match against the Bears to conclude the tournament.

During the three-match span, the Pacers had tremendous outings from numerous student-athletes. Despite the loss at L-R, USC Aiken regrouped for the home-opening tournament a week later.

Cox's team had little trouble at the USC Aiken Invitational, picking up sweeps against Belmont Abbey and Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday. The Pacers won the first two sets against North Greenville on Saturday morning, but the Crusaders won the next two frames. Down 13-11 in the fifth set, Lexi Rogers answered the bell with a kill. After an attack error by the visitors, Sadie McKay served up an ace and Rogers finished the match with a thunderous kill, giving the team a 3-2 win. USC Aiken quickly ousted Carson-Newman by a 3-0 count.

At the Augusta Tournament the following weekend, the Pacers lost the first. Two sets but bounced back to upend former PBC foe Montevallo 3-2. In the decisive fifth frame, USC Aiken hit .389 en route to a 15-4 win.

The Pacers closed out the tournament with identical 3-1 victories over Mississippi College and Valdosta State.

For their hard work throughout the season, Gyöngyvér Araczki and Kari Mercer were named to the all-conference team while Emily Lammers garnered all-tournament team accolades. 

The outstanding start propelled the Pacers to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons.