SAVANNAH, Ga.--USC Aiken (3-3) got a big win over Catawba College (3-3) in five games in the opening match of the 2005 AASU/Chatham Orthopaedics Classic in non-conference volleyball action in Savannah, Ga. on Friday. The Lady Pacers dropped their second and final match of day one at the two-day event 3-0 to 14th ranked Florida Southern (9-1). Game scores versus Catawba were 32-30, 24-30, 28-30, 30-27, and 15-11. Games scores in the loss to the Moccasins were 30-21, 30-22, and 30-24.

Sophomore middle hitter Mandy Gerolstein had 16 kills, three blocks, and three service aces hitting .371 to lead three Lady Pacers in double-digits in kills. Laura Williams hit .417 in ringing up 10 kills and a team-high five blocks. Newcomer Katie Baker added 13 kills and two blocks.

Senior setter Rachel Dalitz teamed up with sophomore Amanda Timm for 55 assists and 25 digs. Hayden Johnson tallied 23 digs at libero for USCA.

Following a hard-fought win in game one, the Lady Pacers hit just .025 in game two and .184 in game three, falling behind 2-1. An impressive 30-27 win in game four was the result of a .462 team hitting percentage. USCA hit .250 to claim game five 15-11 and the match 3-2.

In facing one of their toughest opponents of the 2005 season, the Lady Pacers fell in three games to 14th ranked Florida Southern. Williams had seven kills and two blocks, hitting .371 to lead USCA. Timm added six kills, nine assists, seven digs, and a .500 hitting percentage. Stefanie Durham’s 21 digs led the team while Dalitz registered 16 assists.

USC Aiken will face two opponents from the Sunshine State Conference tomorrow beginning with Florida Tech at 1:00 PM followed by Eckerd at 5:00 PM.

Short Box Score (Match)
USC Aiken vs Catawba (Sep 09, 2005 at Savannah, Ga.)
USC Aiken def. Catawba 32-30,24-30,28-30,30-27,15-11

USC Aiken (3-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Gerolstein, Mandy 16-3-3; Baker, Katie 13-0-2; Williams, Laura 10-0-5; Durham, Stefanie 9-1-0; Timm, Amanda 9-1-1; Deardorff, Missy 7-0-4; Seidle, Veronica 1-0-0; Dalitz, Rachel 1-0-0; Johnson, Hayden 0-2-0; Totals 66-7-10.0. (Assists) - Dalitz, Rachel 31; Timm, Amanda 24. (Dig leaders) - Johnson, Hayden 23; Durham, Stefanie 18; Dalitz, Rachel 18; Seidle, Veronica 11.

Catawba (3-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - No stats available.

Site: Savannah, Ga. (Alumni Arena)
Date: Sep 09, 2005 Attend: 55 Time: 2:00

FULL BOXSCORE

Short Box Score (Match)
USC Aiken vs #14 Florida Southern (Sep 09, 2005 at Savannah, Ga.)
Florida Southern def. USC Aiken 30-21,30-22,30-24

USC Aiken (3-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Williams, Laura 7-0-2; Baker, Katie 7-0-0; Timm, Amanda 6-0-1; Gerolstein, Mandy 4-2-1; Durham, Stefanie 2-1-1; Deardorff, Missy 2-0-1; Totals 28-3-3.0. (Assists) - Dalitz, Rachel 16. (Dig leaders) - Durham, Stefanie 21; Johnson, Hayden 11.

Florida Southern (9-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - No stats available.

Site: Savannah, Ga. (Alumni Arena)
Date: Sep 09, 2005 Attend: 60 Time: 1:15

FULL BOXSCORE