Ettrick, Va. — The Claflin University volleyball team opened CIAA Roundup No. 2 with a split Friday, falling to Virginia Union before responding with a three-set victory over Lincoln University (Pennsylvania). The Lady Panthers finished the day 1-1, improving to 11-13 overall and 5-8 in CIAA play.
Claflin opened CIAA Roundup No. 2 against Virginia Union but came up short in a 3-0 loss, falling 18-25, 22-25 and 18-25.
Grayson Graham led the Lady Panthers with seven kills, while
Zaniya Harris added five. Harris,
Abigail Watts, and
Joi Tinsley each recorded two service aces.
Nadia Embry finished with eight assists, and
Jadah Rasool led the defense with 12 digs.
The Lady Panthers regrouped for their second match of the day against Lincoln, responding strongly in a competitive three-set win. Claflin took the opening set 25-15 and held off a late push from Lincoln to win the second set 25-22. The third set went down to the wire, but the Lady Panthers closed out the 27-25 victory to secure the sweep.
Claflin finished with 40 kills and a .203 hitting percentage, while serving up 11 aces. Burns led the attack with 13 kills, and Harris added 10.
Aryanna Connell contributed seven kills, giving the Lady Panthers three players with at least seven kills in the win.
Embry orchestrated the offense with 22 assists, while Tinsley added nine assists and three service aces. Rasool led the team with 12 digs, followed by Embry with nine and Watts with eight.
Taylor Miller contributed two blocks.
After a hard-fought opening match, Claflin's response against Lincoln gave the team a strong finish to the first day of the roundup. The Lady Panthers will look to carry that momentum into Saturday's schedule, which features two more conference matchups.
Up Next
Claflin returns to the court Saturday, Oct. 17, to face Shaw University at 1 p.m. before closing out the day against Elizabeth City State at 5 p.m.
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About Claflin University Athletics
Claflin University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institution that sponsors 13 intercollegiate sports. The university's athletic program includes volleyball; women's flag football; men's and women's cross country; men's and women's basketball; softball; men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field; and baseball. Claflin's teams compete primarily in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), while the baseball program competes in the Peach Belt Conference.
