ORANGEBURG, SC - The Claflin Lady Panthers (1-2, 1-0 CIAA) opened Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play in dramatic fashion when the team took a five-set win over the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (1-1, 0-1 CIAA), Wednesday evening. After opening the match with back-to-back set wins, the Lady Panthers had to fend off the Golden Bulls to claim the 28-26, 25-23, 23-25, 17-25, and 15-12 win.
 
The Lady Panthers had to overcome a feisty Johnson C. Smith team as well as some of their own miscues to claim the win. As a team, the Lady Panthers finished the match with 57 kills, but the team committed 36 errors along with nine service errors in the match. Senior utility Taylin Johnson led the way with 17 kills in the match. Freshman outside hitter Anaya Wofford added 14 kills. Junior setter Siri Davis recorded 28 assists while senior Jakeya Paylor added 22 assists as well. Junior libero MeAuhre Lewis added 35 digs.
 
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in CIAA play. The team will hit the road for their next action as they will head to Salisbury, North Carolina to take on the Livingstone 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.