ORANGEBURG, SC (October 11, 2021) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (7-6, 5-2 CIAA) got back to their winning ways when the team took a dominating three-set win over the Saint Augustine’s Lady Falcons (6-8, 4-3 CIAA), Monday evening. The Lady Panthers clicked on all cylinders when the team claimed the victory.
As a team, the Lady Panthers put one of their best performances of the season. The team totaled 34 kills in the match with 12 total blocks (none solo). It was junior outside hitter Simone Newell who led the way for the Lady Panthers with 18 kills in the match. She also added nine digs. Sophomore outside hitter Mya Broom added seven kills. The service game also served the Lady Panthers well with the team totaling seven service aces. Sophomore Danielle Branch added three service aces while senior libero Ayanna Harrison added a pair of service aces of her own. She also led the Lady Panthers defense with 13 digs.
The opening set was a back-and-forth battle with the two teams playing it close for nearly the entire set. However, in the end, it was the Lady Panthers who pulled out the 25-19 set win. After trailing the Falcons, 11-12, the Lady Panthers went on a 4-1 run that left the Lady Panthers on top, 16-12. It was after taking a 19-16 lead that the Lady Panthers pulled away. The team took three straight points to go ahead, 22-16 before cruising to the 25-19 set win.
The second set was another emotional battle with the Lady Panthers jumping out to an early 8-1 lead before allowing the Falcons to come back and take a 15-12 set lead. The Lady Panthers answered with and 8-1 run that included four Falcon attack errors. The effort left the Lady Panthers on top, 20-16 before the team cruised to the 25-21 set win.
The third set left little drama. The Lady Panthers opened the set with a 17-5 lead. However, the Lady Panthers eased up a bit and allowed the Falcons to go on a 9-1 run that cut the Claflin lead down to just three points, 20-17. However, the Lady Panthers would right the ship before outscoring the Falcons 4-2 to wrap up the 25-20 set win and to claim the three-set match win.
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 7-6 overall and 5-2 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return to action, Wednesday when they host the Young Harris College Mountain Lions in a 6:00 p.m. match.