AIKEN, S.C.- It’s not exactly how he drew it up but Palm Beach Atlantic head volleyball coach Bob White will take it. White’s volleyball team fell behind 2-0 to No. 15-ranked Flagler College on Friday afternoon in both team’s first action at the USC-Aiken Invitational before the Sailfish shocked the Saints by rattling off three consecutive games for the 3-2 win. The Fish would also go on to hand Augusta State University a 3-0 loss in the second match of the day.

The team will rest up on Friday evening and be back in action on Saturday when they take on North Greenville University and the host Pacers of USC-Aiken at 10 am and 12 pm respectively at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.

Match One (PBA vs. No. 15 Flagler College)

Coming off a pair of tough losses at home last weekend to top-25 opponents, it appeared as if the Fish (5-2) were going to make it 0-for-3 on the young season as the veteran Saints (3-1) shook off a sluggish start to claim the first two sets.

PBA led 23-17 in the first set and were significantly out-hitting their opponent until a late Flagler surge not only kept the Fish from earning a big opening set win but pushed them to a 31-29 loss. With the momentum firmly on their side, the Saints continued to take advantage of some uncharacteristic serving issues by PBA as they rolled to a 25-18 game two win and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Down but not without hope, the Fish would fight back and in a big way.

Needing a more offensive approach, the Sailfish connected for a more respectable .214 hitting percentage in set three and put away a 25-20 win followed by a .182 hitting mark in set for as they cruised to a 25-18 win to force the all-important fifth set.

Tied 5-5 through the first ten points of the fifth set, the Fish would get two key kills from setter Becca Acevedo and then ride Acevedo’s serve out to an 8-5 lead at the turn.

Basically playing even the rest of the way, the Fish closed out the Saints with a 15-10 win as the two teams wrapped up a memorable first match of the tournament. The two rivals will see each other again as they will square off on each other’s home floors two more times during the 2012 campaign.

After a rough start, junior Christina Alessi got hot and helped carry her team for their big comeback. The left-handed King’s Academy product produced a career-high 21 kills in the match while managing a .298 attacking percentage.

Alessi was one of three PBA players in double-figures in kills as senior Mariela Quesada added in 19 kills to go with 16 digs while freshman Faith Rohn showed her skills with a double-double of her own with 10 kills and 12 digs.

The defense was anchored by sophomore libero Melissa Buckingham who could be seen diving for numerous loose balls on her way to a match-high 22 digs. Freshman defensive specialist Rachael Holehouse also came through with some tough defense as she collected 12 digs in the win.

Sophomore setter Becca Acevedo dished out 57 assists with 12 digs while Rachel Jones and Alessi tied for the team lead with four block assists.

Flagler finished the match hitting a collective .094 with Dianna Craine leading the team with 13 kills.

Match Two (PBA vs. Augusta State University)

Taking on their second straight Peachbelt Conference foe, the Sailfish had little time to celebrate their big win over Flagler as they had 30 minutes in between their two matches on the day.

Perhaps this short layoff played to the Blue and White’s advantage however as the team came out fired up and dominating early against the Jaguars (2-2).

With their early match success, White was able to work in nearly his entire roster in the victory as his team posted 25-15, 25-21, and 25-21 victories.

Quesada paced the efforts this time around with a team-high 11 kills and seven digs while Alessi managed double-figures again with 10 kills.

Acevedo split the setting duties with freshman Alex Marszalek as Acevedo produced 22 assists and 10 digs while Marszalek added in 14 assists in the win.

Buckingham posted 12 digs to lead the defense once again while even chipping in with seven assists.

Rohn connected for six kills while Jones and Elly Raush added in five kills each.