Volleyball Opens Florida Trip With 3-1 Win Over Host Saints

Ashland University's volleyball team has continued its early-season success following a trip of more than 900 miles, taking a 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 24-26, 25-23) decision from the host to begin the Flagler (Fla.) Invitational on Thursday (Sept. 11) night.
 
The Eagles have began a season at 4-0 for the second time in three years, while the Saints are 1-4.
 
A close opening set had the Eagles down 12-11 before pulling away thanks to a 14-4 run to go up 1-0. In the fourth and final set, AU rallied from down 23-22 to take the match's last three points.
 
In keeping Flagler to a .144 hitting percentage for the match, Ashland finished with 30 team block assists – their most since 30 vs. Ferris State in an NCAA Division II Tournament contest on Nov. 15, 2018.
 
Included in that total was junior middle hitter Ravin Morgan's nine block assists, tied for the third-most in program history.
 
Also helping the AU defensive cause were three players who ended with double-digit digs – junior libero Abbey Queen (25), sophomore defensive specialist Kaylee Davis (13) and junior setter Marin Dixon (11).
 
MORE FROM THE BOXSCORE

• Dixon ended with 50 assists and six block assists, while three Eagles ended with at least 10 kills – sophomore outside hitter Sophia Samonek (14), freshman outside hitter Jenna Shedden (13) and Morgan (10).
• Thursday's match featured 37 tie scores and 15 lead changes – 16 tie scores and nine lead changes in the final set alone.

NEXT UP
Day 2 of the Flagler Invitational on Friday (Sept. 12) at 3 p.m. vs. Newberry (3-0).