ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Lauren Hamilton tallied double figures for kills in both matches Friday, as the Crusaders fought hard at the Flagler Saints Invitational on the first day of the 2021 women's volleyball season.

In the opener, the hosts took a 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 25-14) decision, while Valdosta State rallied for a 3-2 (19-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-21, 15-8 victory later in the day.

MATCH ONE

• Lauren Hamilton had 12 kills and hit a team-best .280 to lead the offensive attack.
• Caitlyn Faber tallied nine kills, while Mia Samaha added eight. Samaha served two of the Crusaders' three aces.
• Paige Rawlins dished out 32 assists, while Hailey Ryan registered 20 digs.
• The Crusaders had 44 kills as a team, just four shy of Flagler.

MATCH TWO

• Hamilton reached a team-high 16 kills, while Faber added 12.
• Rawlins recorded a double-double with 27 assists and 12 digs.
• Two other players topped double figures in digs -- Ryan with 23 and Maya Simmons with 10.
• The Crusaders had seven more kills than the Blazers (1-1).

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey concludes play at the Flagler Saints Invitational. The Crusaders face sixth-ranked Lewis at 11 a.m. Saturday morning before wrapping up the weekend's action at 3 p.m. against Eckerd.