Flagler Volleyball Beats Lander to Advance to PBC Championship

Flagler Volleyball Beats Lander to Advance to PBC Championship

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The top-seeded Flagler College volleyball team secured its place in the Peach Belt Conference Championship after a dramatic 3-2 reverse sweep against No. 5 Lander University on Friday night at Flagler Gymnasium.

After dropping the first two sets 22-25 and 22-25, the Saints rallied to take the final three sets 25-17, 25-11, and 15-12. This victory marks the third consecutive season that Flagler has advanced to the conference championship match, bringing their season record to 27-3.

Lander University, which entered the match with an 8-20 record, initially neutralized the Saints’ top-seeded offense. The Bearcats used late scoring runs to win both opening sets and build a 2-0 lead.

The momentum shifted decisively in the third set. Flagler’s offense found its rhythm, committing only two attack errors while hitting .405. “I’m proud of the way our team came together in that third set and turned things around to complete the reverse sweep,” said Jeff Reynolds. “We had a number of players step up and take control of the match.”

Marley Middlebrooks led the comeback, recording her 22nd double-double of the season with 24 kills and 16 digs. Middlebrooks provided the final point of the match, cementing the 15-12 fifth-set win. She also added one ace and one block assist for 25.5 points.

Supporting the offense, Katherine Rank delivered a season-high 16 kills with a .414 hitting percentage. Rank added one solo and block assist for 17.5 points. Gia Lowe posted her second double-double with 14 kills and 14 digs, while posting a .265 hitting percentage. Gracie Fleming generated 11 kills and a .360 hitting percentage, adding two block assists and three digs. Caity Clancy added 12 digs and three serves.

The defensive adjustment proved critical in the fourth set, where Flagler limited the Bearcats to just five kills. “Once we were able to focus in on certain aspects of the game, we were able to get things rolling,” Reynolds said. “That focus allowed us to step up our serve game and our passing game.”

For Lander, the loss concludes a tournament run that included an effort against Augusta. Despite the defeat, the Bearcats challenged the Saints by winning the first two sets before Flagler rallied to complete a reverse sweep.

“When it comes to tournament time, records and past games just don’t matter,” Reynolds said. They played a great match tonight.”

This win keeps Flagler undefeated in conference play at 15-0. The Saints now prepare to face the No. 2 USCA Pacers for the conference title.

The championship match is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Flagler Gymnasium.

More on this story: PBC Volleyball Tournament: USCA, GCSU, and Lander Advance to Semifinals · Salem College Beats Methodist 3-0 in Volleyball Match

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