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Auburn University at Montgomery Athletics

Nicolau UNCP
Jason Martin
3
Winner AUM AUM 2-0,0-0 Gulf South
2
Lincoln Memorial LM 1-2,0-0 SAC
Winner
AUM AUM
2-0,0-0 Gulf South
3
Final
2
Lincoln Memorial LM
1-2,0-0 SAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
AUM AUM 31 25 22 23 15 (3)
Lincoln Memorial LM 29 14 25 25 12 (2)
1
UNC Pembroke UNCP 2-2
3
Winner Auburn Montgomery AUM 4-0
UNC Pembroke UNCP
2-2
1
Final
3
Auburn Montgomery AUM
4-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
UNC Pembroke UNCP 24 24 25 20 (1)
Auburn Montgomery AUM 26 26 21 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball | | Jason Martin

Warhawks Shine For Two Wins, Sweep USC Aiken Invitational

AIKEN, SC. – The Auburn University at Montgomery volleyball team wrapped up the USC Aiken Invitational on Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 win over Lincoln Memorial and a 3-1 win over UNC Pembroke to start the season 4-0 for the first time in program history.
 
In game one, newcomer Keren Santana continued to impress to start her AUM career. The Brazil native tallied a team-high 17 kills and added nine digs and 17 points in the Warhawks' five-set win. Carla Butler recorded one of AUM's double-doubles, netting 14 kills and 14 digs.
 
Senior setter Isadora Nicolai had the other double-double in the game against the Lady Railsplitters, netting 44 assists and 13 digs. Freshman Reann Cato led the team in digs with 19.
 
The Warhawks, in the first set, started things off on the right foot against LMU, taking 10 of the first 15 points to establish a 10-5 lead after a kill from Ashley Hudson. Lincoln Memorial eventually took a 17-15 lead over AUM, but the Warhawks were able to take an eventual 19-18 lead shortly after.
 
The marathon first set continued after a service ace from Nyah Whittlesey extended the AUM lead to 21-19. The Lady Railsplitters, however, scored three straight points to take a 22-21 lead.
 
With the first set tied at 29, a kill from Kyla Ffrench put LMU on the brink, while another Whittlesey ace cemented the opening-set win for AUM.
 
Ylenia De Mango was able to push an early lead for the Warhawks in the second set with an ace to run the score to 9-6 in favor of AUM, while four straight points extended the Orange & Black's lead to 13-7 later in the set.
 
Lincoln Memorial cut the lead to as little as six in the late stages of the second set, but AUM finished the second frame by taking six of the last seven points to take the set 25-14 and a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The third set was dominated by Lincoln Memorial at the start. The Lady Railsplitters raced out to an 11-4 lead over the Warhawks. AUM, however, was able to tie the game at 12 and 16, but LMU closed out the third set to stay alive 25-22.
 
With the Warhawks trying to avoid their second five-set match of the season, the Orange & Black were able to jump out to a slim 7-5 lead in the set. The two sides would trade punches in the middle stages of the fourth and would find themselves tied at 20 late in the set, but LMU was able to capture the fourth set 25-23 to force a deciding fifth set.
 
The Warhawks found their momentum to begin the fifth set and set the tone for a clinching set winner. AUM jumped out to a 9-4 lead before LMU cut it down to 12-11. Two kills from Santana and one more from De Mango helped clinch the set 15-12 and the match 3-2 for the Warhawks.
 
With the win against UNC Pembroke, the Warhawks start the season 4-0 for the first time in program history.
 
AUM shared the love offensively in game two as four players had at least 10 kills. Santana once again led the way with 14 kills, while Whittlesey (13), Butler (11), and Maria Nicolau (10) had double-digit efforts.
 
The opening set against the Braves saw both team trading points back and forth. UNCP was finally able to gain some separation from the Warhawks after taking a 16-9 lead. AUM, however, was able to go on a 6-2 run thanks to a pair of kills from Whittlesey to cut lead to 18-15.
 
Five straight points from the Braves pushed their lead to 23-15. AUM, however, closed the first set on an 11-1 run with three kills from Santana, two from Nicolau, and one from Whittlesey to take the first set 26-24.
 
The second set played similarly to the first set. Neither side was able to find a sizeable lead before UNCP saw a 16-9 lead. A quick 6-2 run cut the Braves' lead to 18-15, but UNCP was able to regain a familiar 23-15 lead.
 
Just like in the first set, AUM was able to close the second set on an 11-1 run to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The third set was quickly taken control of by the Braves as they raced out to an 11-6 lead early on. AUM was able to cut the deficit down to two, but UNCP once again distance themselves from the Warhawks and won the set 25-21.
 
Set four was played evenly between the two teams until the end. Kills from Nicolai and Butler gave AUM a 14-13 lead, but the Braves later found themselves up 20-17 and looking to force a fifth set. AUM, instead, ended the game with eight straight points to win the match and complete a four-game sweep of the USC Aiken Invitational.
 
The Warhawks will return to action on Friday, September 10, when they travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to take part in the Shark Invitational. AUM opens with Barry and host Nova Southeastern at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
 
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