ORANGEBURG, SC (September 12, 2022) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (4-0) kept their perfect start to the season going when the team took a four-set home win over the Savannah State Tigers (0-5), Monday evening. The Lady Panthers had their toughest match of the early season as the team remained undefeated 25-18, 22-25, 25-16, 25-16.
It was one of the team’s best offensive performances of the season that powered the Lady Panthers to the victory. As a team, the Lady Panthers totaled 52 kills in the match with six service aces. Claflin senior Simone Newell led the way for the team with 14 kills in the match while fellow senior outside hitter Mya Broom and junior outside hitter Chidera Wilson both added 10 kills each. Defensively, Claflin senior Jasmine Kirkland added 27 digs while Newell added eight digs. Claflin sophomore Taneja Robinson added four total blocks (none solo). Broom added four total blocks (none solo) as well.
The Lady Panthers took control of the match with an opening set win, but the win did not come easily. Through much of the set, neither team would go ahead by more than two points until the Lady Panthers took control of the set, 20-15. The team went on to complete the set win with a four-point run that was capped by a Wilson service ace.
In the second set, the Lady Panthers faced their toughest challenge of the season with their first set loss of 2022. After trailing the Tigers by just two points, 19-21, the Lady Panthers ran out of time as they allowed Savannah State to close the set, 22-25.
From there, the Lady Panthers took control of the match and never looked back. In the third set, the Lady Panthers jumped out to a 7-2 lead before going ahead by as many as nine points, 15-6. From there, the Lady Panthers would not look back as they cruised to the 25-16 set win. The team once again followed that effort with another dominating performance. The Lady Panthers seized control of the set when an eight-point run left the Lady Panthers on top, 21-10. The Lady Panthers were able to hold off the Tigers to claim the win and remained undefeated.
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 4-0. The team will return to action, Thursday, when they open Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play with a road match against the Livingstone College Blue Bears. For more information on Lady Panthers volleyball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.