GC volleyball started conference play with a tough battle against Augusta University. While the Bobcats were able to hold their ground, Augusta was still able to sweep GC in three sets.
The first set started off strong for both teams. For a majority of the set, the two teams equally competed against each other. The two teams were able to go back and forth against one another until the Bobcats were able to tie the set 13-13 with a big kill by Rachel Machovec, an outside hitter.
GC let simple mistakes ruin the good run they had going, which allowed Augusta to score 12 points in a row to win the set, winning the set 25-13.
Augusta was able to keep their hot streak rolling in the start of set two, while the Bobcats tried to get back into their rhythm. GC was able to settle down and play into some strong rallies but could not execute enough to win the set. Simple mistakes again cost them the set, with Augusta winning 25-13.
The Bobcats were able to start the third set like a completely different team. This set, GC was able to stay on top of Augusta for a majority of the set thanks to big kills in nail-biting rallies by Machovec and Rosa Fisher, a right-side hitter.
The set remained close, again going back and forth, until Augusta was able to make a strong run at the end and use their power to push for the win. Augusta was able to score their last six points from kills and ended up winning the match with a final set score of 25-21.
“I think we just need to work a little harder in practice,” Fisher said. “We came really close, but in the end, it just slipped away from us. I think we had a lot of good energy the whole time, but I think everyone just needs to push a little bit harder in practice so we can finish out these close games.”
Both teams were able to show off their strong hits, with a combined 65 kills between the two teams. GC was able to produce 26, while Augusta was able to produce 39, with 16 in set three. The simple mistakes by the Bobcats were a main cause of their downfall in this match, with a total of 23 errors, while Augusta only had 11.
While the Bobcats hoped to start conference play off strong with a win, this first match was not an easy competition for them. Augusta was able to finish first in the Peach Belt Conference, with a conference record of 12-3.
According to the PBC’s preseason poll, Augusta was chosen as the preseason favorite this year. Augusta also has the reigning PBC Player of the Year, Jazmyn Wheeler, who also just won PBC Player of the Week the week of Sept. 25.
“We were all really excited for our first conference home opener,” said Riese Johnson, a junior setter. “They were great competition, so I think we came out, especially in the third set, fighting. I think we are really well-prepared, and our heads are really open for the next home and conference game.”
The Bobcats are back in action at home against USC Aiken on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.
