ST. AUGUSTINE – Erskine College volleyball made the long trip to Flagler College so the Fleet could measure up against three top ranked NCAA Division II teams; Flagler, No. 25, University of Minnesota Duluth, No. 3, plus 28th-ranked St. Leo University. University of Findlay (OH), ranked sixth in the midwest regions also competed. Flagler College was hosting the four teams in their annual Flagler Saints Classic held Aug. 24-25.

In four games, Erskine left with four losses; all 3-0, but, according to head coach Heather Vahjen, the trip was a learning experience.

“These are all top ranked teams and we want to give the girls as much opportunity to see what the next level looks like,” said Vahjen, who nabbed Ridgeview High 2017 graduate Jauhna Smith as one of her top recruits for a young class of players; nine returning sophomores, designed to build the program. “We liked Jauhna to come here because she has the big girl mentality; she’s a little giant.”

For sophomore outside hitter and defensive specialist Jauhna Smith, a Ridgeview High graduate and a Clay Today Player of the Year, the trip got a family visit and a chance to see top ranked play.

“They are a lot taller in college,” said Smith, one of nine returning sophomores for Erskine. “The conditioning part at this level is the quickest change in volleyball for me from high school.”

For the tournament, Erskine lost 25-14, 25-14, 25-17 to Flagler with Smith registering six scoring shots to tie for the team leader with four digs. Against Flagler, Smith competed against a familiar face in Middleburg High grad Maddie Erwin, a libero for the Lady Saints. Erwin registered two service aces in the game.

Against Saint Leo, the scores were 25-10, 25-13 and 25-23 with Smith registering just two scoring shots, but getting seven digs and a blocked shot.

Against Minnesota-Duluth, the scores were 25-17, 25-12 and 25-10 with Smith registering five scoring shots against a huge front line with four digs and one blocked shot, plus one scoring ace.

Against Findlay, the scores were 25-12, 25-11 and 25-14 with Smith registering four scoring shots and five digs.

In 2017, with Erskine finishing with just two wins and 23 losses, Smith played in 65 sets with 146 scoring shots, 13 services aces, 143 digs and nine blocked shots.

Vahjen likes Smith’s attitude on the court more than her size.

“Jauhna plays a lot bigger than she is at 5’-6”,” said Vahjen. “She’s a leader for our very young team. “

Vahjen concurred that, though Smith is a jumping machine and plays above her height against much taller fronts, her athletic abilities give her plenty of opportunity to contribute to the team in other areas. Vahjen wants Smith to become more consistent on her serving.

“A lot of things that worked in high school are very much different here because of the size,” sadi Jahjen. “’She’s working on more tools in her tool box.”

Smith reiterated that the size differences has been the biggest surprise of college volleyball.

“I have to play smarter in placing my shots more than just overpowering,” said Smith. “I’m improving other parts of my game each week.”