Saints Sweep Knights; Claim Second Straight PBC Regular-Season Title

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Special to SportsDay

 MACON, Ga. (www.jaxsportsnews.com)– The Flagler College volleyball team returned to Middle Georgia State University for a Peach Belt Conference matchup Saturday afternoon at the Volleyball Gym. The Saints swept the Knights 3-0, winning 25-13, 25-11, 25-14. With the victory, Flagler claimed the Peach Belt Conference regular-season title for the second consecutive year.

QUOTES FROM COACH  

"Our team had a nice weekend. Like I said last night, we had to make some adjustments due to illness on our team, but everyone responded well." Jeff Reynolds stated.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with how everyone worked together this weekend to accomplish our goals. When we all buy in and understand this is all about the process, great things happen.” Reynolds added.

"Winning the Peach Belt regular-season championship is a great accomplishment for our team and winning it in back-to-back years is even more special. It also has special meaning since this is our last year in the league. We wanted to go out on top." Reynolds continued.

“We still have a lot of work to do in order to accomplish our goals though. It’s nice to have this one under our belt.” Reynolds ended

Flagler vs. Middle Georgia

Score: Flagler 3, Middle Georgia 0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-21)  

Location: Macon, Ga. (Volleyball Gym)  

Records: Flagler (24-3, PBC 13-0), Middle Georgia (3-25, PBC 0-13)

OPENING VOLLEY  

Marley Middlebrooks recorded her 20th double-double of the season with 10 kills and 11 digs. Middlebrooks added two assists, one ace and two blocks for 12 points.

Freshman Gia Lowe generated a team-high 15 kills and added three blocks for 16.5 points. Mar’ley Phillips contributed 12 kills and three digs for 12 points.

Jolie Trudeau recorded five kills and one dig, while Gracie Fleming added four kills and four blocks.

Bella Law and Jilly Young guided the Saints’ offense at setter. Law recorded a team-high 25 assists, along with four kills and two blocks. Young contributed 14 assists, two aces and five digs.

Caity Clancy continued to anchor the Saints’ defense recording a team-high 15 digs at libero while adding seven assists.

THE DIFFERENCE  

Flagler established control early in the opening set, building a 7-4 advantage behind kills from Fleming and Middlebrooks. After Middle Georgia cut the deficit to 7-6, the Saints responded with a six consecutive points to extend the lead to 13-6. Flagler continued to capitalize on the Knights’ attack errors while receiving key contributions from Phillips and Fleming. The Saints maintained the advantage down the stretch, closing out the opening set 25-13.

The Saints carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a commanding 4-0 lead behind two kills from Lowe, an ace from Middlebrooks and a combined block from Law and Lowe. Flagler continued to apply pressure offensively, extending the advantage to 12-4. The Saints maintained control throughout the set, with contributions from Trudeau, Middlebrooks and Phillips helping build a 21-9 lead. Flagler closed the door with a 25-11 victory after capitalizing on a Knights’ attacking errors.

The Knights made the third set more competitive, but Flagler maintained control early, building an 8-4 advantage behind kills from Middlebrooks and Trudeau with an ace from Bella Ciolino. The Saints continued to extend the led, using kills from Phillips and Middlebrooks to take a 13-7 advantage. The Knights attempted a rally late, trimming the deficit to 22-19, but Flagler responded with a timely kill from Lowe to reach match point. After the Knights scored twice, Lowe delivered the match-ending kill to secure the 25-21 set victory.

NOTEABLES

Flagler improved to 24-3 overall and remains undefeated with a Peach Belt Conference record of 13-0.

With the victory, Flagler claimed the PBC regular-season title for the second straight year and secured the right to host the PBC tournament.

The Saints finished with 50 kills and 54 digs with a .406 hitting percentage, while limiting the Knights to 25 kills and a .066 hitting percentage.

Flagler’s led in several statistical categories, including total points (60-31), assists (48-23) and block assists (10-6).

COMING UP 

The Saints will host Lander University on Friday, Nov. 6th for another Peach Belt Conference match up. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Flagler Gymnasium.


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