ORANGEBURG, SC - The Claflin Lady Panthers (11-6, 5-6 CIAA) could not find a groove when the team took a four-set loss to the Winston-Salem State Rams (10-13, 6-6 CIAA). The Lady Panthers gave a great overall effort, but the team could not match the offensive intensity of their opponents in the tough loss.
 
The Lady Panthers had some solid defensive play in the tough loss. As a team, the Lady Panthers totaled 61 digs with 23 total blocks (three solo). Freshman Kaitlin Ham and sophomore middle blocker Taneja Robinson both totaled five block assists (none solo) each. Senior outside hitter Simone Newell added 12 kills with nine digs. She also added four block assists.
 
The Lady Panthers had a slow start to the match with back-to-back losses in the first two sets of the match. After taking a 22-25 loss on the opening set and a 15-25 loss in the second set, the Lady Panthers sprung to life with a 25-18 win in the third set. In the fourth set, the Lady Panthers had a solid lead, but the team fell short, taking a 20-25 loss and sealed the four-set loss for the team.
 
With the loss, the Lady Panthers fall to 11-6 overall and 5-6 in CIAA play. The Lady Panthers will return home for their next action as they will host the defending conference champion Fayetteville State Broncos in a 6:00 p.m. match. For more information on Lady Panthers softball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.