AIKEN, S.C.- After a travel day on Thursday the Sailfish volleyball team got back to the court on Friday afternoon as they took on Valdosta (Ga.) State University and Limestone (S.C.) College in a pair of matches at the University of South Carolina-Aiken Convocation Center. In both matches the ‘Fish would be challenged but in the end a pair of 3-0 sweeps would give the team a happy first day in the Palmetto State.

The Sailfish have now swept six straight matches at the USC-Aiken Tournament dating back to last year’s 4-0 performance with a pair of opponents waiting on Saturday in Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) University (10 am) and Converse (Tenn.) College (2 pm).

Match One (PBA vs. Valdosta State University)

Taking on the Blazers for the first time in the NCAA-era of Sailfish volleyball the two teams would battle throughout a tight first set with PBA eventually pushing through for a 26-24 win.

The set and potentially the momentum for the remainder of the match nearly went the way of the Blazers when they led 24-22 and held set point. With no room for error the ‘Fish rattled off four straight points including a big set-tying kill from sophomore Stephany Brown and back-to-back blocks to close out the VSU side.

With excitement now filling the PBA sideline, the Sailfish (6-1) left little for chance over the final two sets as they had a bit more breathing  room down the stretch and closed out Valdosta by the scores of 25-21 and 25-18.

Sophomore Faith Rohn once again shined on offense with a match-high 15 kills (.243 attacking percentage) while Brown also topped double-digits with 10 kills (.261 attacking percentage).

Brytney Annis and Katie Ballantyne also chipped in with five kills each in the win.

Becca Acevedo contributed a double-double of 33 assists and 11 digs in the victory while Melissa Buckingham continued her double-figures digs streak to start the season as she led the PBA efforts with 16 digs. Emma Ballantyne proved dominant at the net with six total blocks (one solo block, five block assists).

PBA finished with a superb .378 team hitting percentage for the match while Valdosta concluded the afternoon at .278.

Match Two (PBA vs. Limestone)

After a thrilling start to the day that saw a needed first set comeback the Sailfish would start out a bit steadier in their second match of the day.

Taking on Limestone (2-2) for the first time the Blue and White flexed their muscle as they reeled off three consecutive solid showings and posted victories of 25-12, 25-16 and 25-10.

Rohn once again showed her growth as a player as she rattled off 14 more kills with just one hitting error on 28 attacks (.464 attacking percentage) to lead the PBA offense that concluded the three sets by hitting .368 as a team.

Brown also proved especially efficient as she knocked down nine kills in only 15 swings for an eye-popping .600 attacking percentage. Emma Ballantyne and Annis once again added all-around support as Ballantyne delivered six kills and Annis added five kills.

Leading the team from the setter position was again Acevedo who finished with 30 assists while Rohn tied Buckingham for team-high honors of 13 digs.