Flagler Bests Pirates, 3-1, In Match Of PBC Leaders

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Flagler College Saints maintained their grip atop the Peach Belt Conference standings with a 3-1 win at second-place Armstrong Atlantic State on Wednesday evening in Savannah. Scores were: 25-21, 25-18, 16-25, 25-21.

Flagler (12-8, 5-1 PBC) entered the night just a half-game ahead of the Pirates (11-5, 3-2 PBC) but riding a hot streak, winners of six of their last seven matches. That hot streak continued as the Saints held the Pirates to a -.059 hitting percentage in the first set to take the early lead.

The Saints hit .211 in the second set to take a two sets to none advantage. The Pirates battled back with their best set of the night in set three, registering 13 kills and a .393 hitting percentage, but Flagler closed out the match in set four behind the play of Justine Burkhardt and Meg Weathersby.

Weathersby collected 13 kills and 11 digs on the night to lead the Saints, while Burkhardt had 12 kills. Katie Beale, the reigning PBC Player of the Week, led all players defensively with 21 digs and Olivia Snipes tallied 21 assists.

The Pirates were led by freshman Kathrin Standhardinger, who hit .429 with a match-high 15 kills to go with five blocks, and her twin sister Kristin Standhardinger, who notched a match-high 34 assists. Sophomore Casey Howett added 11 digs.

AASU returns to action on Friday, October 2, with a 7 p.m. Peach Belt Conference match at Francis Marion. Flagler puts its first-place spot on the line on Friday with a 7:00 p.m. Peach Belt match at UNC Pembroke.