Battle for the Paddle continues with volleyball win
USC Aiken's volleyball team won a pivotal rematch against Augusta University with a 3-0 sweep.
Key contributors Christine Carroll, a junior, and Alie Smith, a sophomore, added 13 kills each, while sophomore Kayla Duggan compiled a double-double of 10 kills and 13 digs.
Ali Kirk assisted a match-best 25 assists while adding a pair of blocks and two kills. Allie Bell registered 16 assists and seven digs. Rebecca Martinez collected 29 digs and four assists.
Carroll was named the Peach Belt Conference volleyball player of the week after averaging 4.57 kills per set and hit .286 as the Pacers won both conference matches last week to claim the 2018 PBC regular-season Championship and the top seed in this week’s tournament.
Carroll also leads the conference in points per set, is second in kills and hitting percentage, and fifth in blocks. The win propelled the Pacers to 20-3 overall with a 10-1 record in league play.
Senior Savanna Gonzales led the Jaguars with nine kills while Junior Cheryke Brian-Garmos dished 17 assists. Senior Nathalia Gouveia had 13 digs and sophomore Holland Martin produced 15 digs. The matchup was the second between the two schools with both teams each sharing one win apiece and winning each game 3-0.
The Battle for the Paddle rivalry was started in 2017 as the schools fight for bragging rights of the Savannah River. The Pacers own the bragging rights for winning last year's competition.
After winning Saturday against Georgia College and improving to 21-3, the Pacers return to action next Saturday in the Peach Belt Conference at 4 p.m. hosted by Lander. The team will play the winner of Flagler and Georgia College.
