Flagler College Women’s Volleyball swept USCA 3-0 on Oct. 9 at the Convocation Center in Aiken, South Carolina, extending its winning streak to 16 consecutive matches. Flagler won the Peach Belt Conference match 25-13, 25-21 and 25-22. The victory improved Flagler to 17-2 overall and 6-0 in conference play, while USCA fell to 12-4 overall and 4-2 in the Peach Belt Conference.
The winning streak moved Flagler into fourth place in program history for the longest such run. It also ranked second among active winning streaks in NCAA Division II. Flagler remained unbeaten in Peach Belt Conference play.
Marley Middlebrooks records 14th double-double
Marley Middlebrooks led Flagler with 14 kills and 13 digs for her 14th double-double of the season. She hit .294 and added two blocks. Gia Lowe contributed nine kills, three digs and four blocks, while Gracie Fleming finished with seven kills, one solo block and four block assists.
Katherine Rank added five kills without an error, hit .357 and led Flagler with five blocks. Jilly Young recorded 24 assists, three digs and one ace, and Bella Law contributed 11 assists, one kill and one dig. Amelia Fitzpatrick added two aces and six digs.
Flagler answers USCA rally
Flagler built an 8-4 lead in the opening set after taking an early 4-2 advantage. USCA cut into the margin, but Flagler used five kills and a USCA error to take a 17-9 lead. Flagler closed the set with a three-point run for a 25-13 victory.
Flagler opened the second set with a 5-3 lead and extended the margin to 10-5. After Flagler moved ahead 20-13, USCA used a 6-1 run to make it 21-19. Flagler responded with a 4-2 finish, including a kill from Fleming, to win 25-21.
The third set included the closest late challenge from USCA. Flagler turned a 5-3 lead into a 12-3 advantage with seven consecutive points, but USCA eventually took a 22-21 lead after scoring eight of the next nine points. Flagler answered with the final four points, including a key block assist from Middlebrooks and Rank, to complete the sweep at 25-22.
Jeff Reynolds looks ahead to rematch
Flagler coach Jeff Reynolds praised the team’s performance in the road conference match. “Picking up a three-set road win against a quality opponent like USCA tells you all you need to know about this team,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds also highlighted Flagler’s ability to work through pressure and close out sets. “I have the greatest seat in the arena. It’s so fun to watch this group compete, to work together, to work out of jams, to put together big runs, to flat out take care of business,” Reynolds said.
Flagler was scheduled to face USCA again at the Convocation Center on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m. in another Peach Belt Conference matchup. “We know we have another big match tomorrow here in South Carolina. We know USCA will be ready to battle it out,” Reynolds said. “They’re a good team. We’ll have to bring our A game again tomorrow in order to take care of business.”
FSB Take
Flagler’s 16-match winning streak has reached fourth place in program history, and the team’s 6-0 Peach Belt Conference record reflects its strong start in league play. Middlebrooks supplied another double-double, while Flagler’s blocking and late-set execution helped it withstand USCA’s third-set rally. The scheduled rematch gives Flagler another conference test against USCA less than 24 hours after the sweep.
Source: Original report