SAVANNAH, Ga.--USC Aiken (4-4) concluded play at the 2005 AASU/Chatham Orthopaedics Classic with a 3-1 win over Florida Tech (4-5) and a hard-fought 3-2 loss to Eckerd (6-3). The 15-team, two-day event was hosted by Armstrong Atlantic State in Savannah, Ga. The Lady Pacers finished 2-2. Game scores from the Florida Tech match were 30-23, 30-25, 26-30, and 30-23. Games scores in the match with Eckerd were 30-23, 30-22, 27-30, 28-30, and 16-14.

In the first match of the day for USC Aiken, Mandy Gerolstein had 12 kills while Amanda Timm added 10 kills as the Lady Pacers snapped a four-match losing streak to the Lady Panthers, posting just their second win in seven all-time meetings.

Rachel Dalitz recorded 29 assists for the Lady Pacers while Hayden Johnson tallied 20 digs and Stephanie Durham added 19. Florida Tech’s Kelly Currin and Lindsay Foster each had 10 kills for the Lady Panthers.

In the nightcap, USC Aiken rallied from an 0-2 hole to force a decisive game five before falling 16-14.

“This was a great match for us,” said USCA head coach Will Condon. “Despite the final outcome, I was very pleased at our effort.”

Gerolstein again led the Lady Pacers with 15 kills, five service aces, and five blocks for a total of 23.5 points. Durham added 12 kills, two aces, and three blocks hitting .314. Katie Baker chipped in 11 kills while Laura Williams tallied 10 kills and five blocks.

Kristy Busse paced Eckerd with 14 kills and 15 digs hitting .308. Andrea Krzystan added 12 kills and three blocks.

USC Aiken recorded more service aces, 14-11, and out blocked the Tritons, 14.5 to 9.0, but Eckerd hit .230 compared to the Lady Pacers’ .164.

After falling behind 2-0 by scores of 30-23 and 30-22, USCA fought back with wins in game three (30-27) and four (30-28) to force game five.

“Just having the desire to fight back from two games down to force game five was a tremendous achievement,” said Condon. “Even in game five, we showed tremendous guts, fighting back to tie it three times, including being down 14-10. They [the Lady Pacers] deserved a win. I wish we could give them one because they earned it.”

After eight-straight matches on the road, USC Aiken will finally host their 2005 home opener on Tuesday, September 13 when the Lady Pacers welcome the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras to “The Courthouse” for a 7:00 PM match.

Short Box Score (Match)
USC Aiken vs Eckerd (Sep 10, 2005 at Savannah, Ga.)
Eckerd def. USC Aiken 30-23,30-22,27-30,28-30,16-14

USC Aiken (4-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Gerolstein, Mandy 15-5-5; Durham, Stefanie 12-2-3; Baker, Katie 11-0-3; Williams, Laura 10-0-5; Timm, Amanda 9-2-3; Deardorff, Missy 7-0-3; Dalitz, Rachel 1-3-0; Seidle, Veronica 1-2-0; Johnson, Hayden 1-0-0; Totals 67-14-14.5. (Assists) - Timm, Amanda 30; Dalitz, Rachel 29. (Dig leaders) - Johnson, Hayden 35; Durham, Stefanie 20; Seidle, Veronica 15; Timm, Amanda 11; Dalitz, Rachel 10.

Eckerd (6-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Busse, Kristy 14-1-0; Krzystan, Andrea 12-0-3; Badoyen, Leigh 9-0-1; White, Angela 9-2-2; Carter, Keisha 7-0-0; Melton, Leah 5-3-8; Ruby, Shannon 2-3-0; Arendell, Alex 1-0-0; Morrisroe, Kelly 0-2-0; Totals 59-11-9.0. (Assists) - Ruby, Shannon 32; Arendell, Alex 15. (Dig leaders) - Morrisroe, Kelly 35; Busse, Kristy 15; White, Angela 15; Ruby, Shannon 15; Arendell, Alex 9.

Site: Savannah, Ga. (Alumni Arena)
Date: Sep 10, 2005 Attend: 75 Time: 2:30

FULL BOXSCORE