Laza Sets PBC Digs Record; Braves Fall To Flagler

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Needing only three digs to break the Peach Belt Conference's UNCP's Andrea Laza posted six to set the league record for career digs at 2,252, breaking former Francis Marion standout Jessica Strader's mark of 2,248, as the Braves dropped a league match to Flagler College on Friday night 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-23).

With the victory Flagler (26-8, 12-1 PBC) clinches the PBC regular season championship and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament set to begin next week. UNCP drops to 11-19 overall with a 2-11 mark in the PBC with the loss to the Saints, Pembroke's second loss to Flagler this season.

The Saints' Meg Weathersby led the match in kills with 15 hitting for a .667 clip in the process. Olivia Snipes and Rebecca Royal combined for 31 assists for Flagler while splitting time at setter, with Snipes posting a match-high 17. The Saints Katie Beale led the match with eight digs and three service aces.

UNCP was led on offense by sophomore outside hitter Tiara Anderson who posted seven kills on 15 attempts while committing only one attack error. Setters Morgan Ridge and Sam Wylie each recorded 10 assists with Jessica Hartley and Tricia Varno tallying two blocks each.

In her four seasons at UNCP, Laza has led the team in digs each year. During her freshman campaign she posted 521 followed by a career-high 798 digs her sophomore season. During her junior year she tallied 535 digs and has recorded 398 so far this season, her final wearing the Black & Gold.

Laza can set one more PBC record in the Braves' final match of the season tomorrow against Armstrong Atlantic. The Cary, N.C., native tied the conference record for matches with 20 or more digs against Francis Marion on Wednesday night with 49. She is now tied with FMU's Strader for career matches with 20-plus digs for a career.