AUGUSTA, GA — The Augusta University Jaguars were down two sets to one and 8-3 in the fifth set, but rallied in every instance to win the 2023 Peach Belt Conference Volleyball Tournament title on Saturday in Augusta. The Jaguars win their fifth tournament title in the last six years and the PBC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Lander, playing in the championship match for the first time since 2007, is assured of an at-large spot in the NCAAs.

Set scores were 25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 25-21 and 15-12.

Augusta put their defense on display in the first set, collecting five team blocks and holding the Bearcats to a .000 hitting percentage. But even with those advantages, Lander made it close at the end. Augusta led 24-17 when Lander ran off three straight points, two on Katie Miller kills, before a Savannah Davis kill gave the Jaguars the 25-20 win.

The second set was a near mirror-image of the first as Lander collected four team blocks and held the Jaguars to a .095 hitting percentage. Miller collected six kills in the set to lead Lander, including set point for the 25-21 win.

Lander took the third set 25-23, again holding Augusta under a .100 hitting percentage. Lander held a 24-19 edge following a kill from Olivia Dow only to see Augusta rally with four straight points to cut the lead to 24-23. Lander took a timeout and Christina Aguayo got the set-clinching kill for the Bearcats.

The Jaguars had their best offensive effort in the fourth set as they evened the match 25-21. AU had 17 kills in the frame, their most of any set, and hit .256 as a team.

The fifth set was a microcosm of the entire match as Lander jumped out to a 8-3 lead following a block from Blondie Penaflor. But Augusta ran off five straight points behind the serve of Dariana Luna to tie the set at eight. The set remained tied at 12 when Augusta’s Sophia Kruczko and Janvier Buggs had back-to-back kills. AU won the title on a block from Buggs and tournament MVP Madelyn Eden, who had 10 total blocks in the match.

Four Jaguars finished the match with double-figure kills, led by Jazmyn Wheeler and Kayli Cleaver with 14 each. Kruszko, named to the All-Tournament team, had 13 kills with three blocks and two digs while Eden added 10.

Katie Miller led Lander with 22 kills to go with 16 digs. Lauren Dow had a match-high 48 assists along with 27 digs.

The NCAA Tournament selection show will be streamed live on NCAA.com on Monday at 7:30pm.

All-Tournament Team
Jordan Berglin, Flagler
Emily Lammers, USC Aiken
Lauren Dow, Lander
Katie Miller, Lander
Sophia Kruczko, Augusta

Tournament MVP
Madelyn Eden, Augusta