Pirates Suffer First Loss Of Season In USCA Invitational

AIKEN, S.C. - The Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball squad suffered its first loss of the 2009 season on Friday afternoon with a 3-0 loss to Florida Tech in the 2009 USC Aiken Pacer Invitational. Scores were: 25-23, 25-21, 26-24.

The Pirates (4-1) fell to 0-3 in the USC Aiken Convocation Center since the building opened in the fall of 2007. Florida Tech improved to 3-2 with the victory.

AASU hit just .089 for the match, including just .026 in the third set, where the Pirates held a nine-point lead at one point, 17-8, but watched the Panthers rally for the 26-24 win. Florida Tech hit .172 for the match.

Brendyce Budd was the only AASU player to reach double figures in kills with 10, while Janelle Branch led Florida Tech with 10 kills and a .276 hitting percentage. Kristin Standhardinger collected 25 assists and Casey Howett notched 12 digs.

Amy O'Brien led the Panthers defensively with 21 digs, while Alexis Mastela notched 21 assists. AASU outblocked the Panthers, 6-4, led by Leia Pittman's three blocks.

The Pirates wrap up action in the 2009 USC Aiken Pacer Invitational on Saturday by facing St. Andrews at 10:00 a.m. and Catawba at 12:30 p.m.