GAME 1 BOX - GAME 2 BOX
AIKEN, S.C. – The Nova Southeastern University volleyball team’s (1-7) struggles continued on the final day of the USC-Aiken Volleyball Invitational on Saturday with another pair of losses. The Sharks dropped their opening match 3-1 to the Augusta State Jaguars (4-3) and later closed out the tournament against the host South Carolina-Aiken Pacers (4-4) losing 3-2 at the Convocation Center.
Despite the losses, several Sharks continued to stand out with senior Danielle Graham (Cincinnati, Ohio) leading the way with 31 kills during NSU’s two matches. Defensively, she added 19 digs and six blocks. Sydney Cook (Fr., Miami, Fla.) also continued to shine by adding another 28 kills and a team-high nine blocks, which included a 16-kill and five block performance against Augusta State.
Dana Holger (Fr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) added another 20 kills and 32 digs for NSU, but it was Caitlin Donahue (Fr., Miami, Fla.) that stood out as the Sharks’ most efficient offensive threat on the final day of the tournament hitting a blistering .350 with 19 kills and eight total blocks. Sarah Shifflett (So., Boynton Beach, Fla.) collected 40 digs in the two matches averaging just over 4.4 per set to close out the day.
To open the final day, the Sharks faced the ASU Jaguars and posted their best offensive performance of the season in a single set. Kristina Eric (Jr., Sokolac, Bosnia) guided the team to an impressive .348 team hitting percentage where the Sharks collected 21 kills on 46 attempts as NSU went on to win 25-23 to take a 1-0 lead in the match. In the second set, the Jaguars fought off 10 different lead changes and 13 tied scores to pull out a 26-24 victory and even the match at 1-1.
In the third, ASU capitalized on 12 Shark errors to win 25-18 and later sealed the match win 3-1 taking the final set 25-22. Cook led NSU with her season-best 16 kills and five blocks, while Graham followed with 15 kills and 10 digs for the double-double. Holger also posted a double-double with 11 kills and 21 digs, and Donahue hit a blistering .450 with 10 kills and four blocks. Eric recorded a season-high 54 assists in the match to go along with Shifflett’s 21-dig performance. Kristen Koch led ASU with 15 kills followed by Jenna Keeler’s 13.
The Sharks’ final match before heading back to Fort Lauderdale was their longest of the season going five sets. NSU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead winning the first two sets 25-19 and 26-24. However, the host Pacers were not done by any means as they rallied back to win the final three sets 25-20, 25-11 and 15-12. The momentum shift occurred in the third set when USC-Aiken head coach Glenn Cox substituted back-up setter Alex Petock for starter Shelia Walsh. NSU was in the lead 7-4, but the Pacers began chipping away until taking the lead 19-18 and then it was all Pacers the rest of the way.
In the fifth and final set, it looked as though NSU would be able to pull off a decisive set victory with a 7-4 lead. However, after switching sides at the eighth point, USC-Aiken went on an 8-4 run to close out the set to win the match 3-2.
Graham posted one of her personal best matches of the season hitting .344 with 16 kills to lead the Sharks. Cook followed with 12 kills and four blocks, while Shifflett added another 19-dig performance. Danika Maggard led the Pacers with 14 kills, while Hannah Tierney finished with 13. Samanatha Lukralle finished with a match-high 31 digs.
NSU will head back to Fort Lauderdale to prepare for another road match, this time against local south region foe Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The Sharks will then open Sunshine State Conference play against Lynn at home on Friday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.
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