This Week in Athletics: Volleyball Prepares for Three-Match Week, Panther Madness Returns
Terica Peay
Orangeburg, S.C. — Claflin University Athletics heads into another busy week with volleyball back on its home court for two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association contests before closing out its regular-season non-conference road schedule. The week also brings the return of Panther Madness, an annual event celebrating the start of the upcoming basketball season.
Last week, the Lady Panthers protected their home court with a 3-1 victory over Winston-Salem State University, earning their first win over the Lady Rams since November 2021 and extending their home winning streak. The win gave Claflin a boost as it continued conference play. Meanwhile, the men's and women's cross-country teams competed in the 56th CIAA Cross Country Championship in Salem, Virginia. The men finished fourth, while the women placed 10th. Freshman Jael Pratt led the women with a ninth-place finish, and sophomore Eureka Washington paced the men with a 12th-place result, giving Claflin two top-15 individual performances at the championship.
This Week's Schedule
- Monday, Oct. 26: Volleyball vs. Fayetteville State, 6 p.m. — Greek Night
- Tuesday, Oct. 27: Panther Madness, 9 p.m. — Tullis Arena
- Thursday, Oct. 29: Volleyball vs. Bluefield State, 6 p.m. — Western Night
- Saturday, Oct. 31: Volleyball at Paine College — Augusta, Georgia
The Lady Panthers return to Tullis Arena on Monday, Oct. 26, for a 6 p.m. conference match against Fayetteville State University. The contest will feature Greek Night, welcoming members of the university's Greek-letter organizations to support Claflin volleyball.
The Lady Panthers will look to carry the momentum from their win over Winston-Salem State into another important conference contest. With the regular season moving toward its conclusion, protecting home court will be a priority as Claflin continues its push through CIAA play.
Claflin remains at home Thursday, Oct. 29, welcoming Bluefield State University for a 6 p.m. match at Tullis Arena. The contest will feature Western Night, giving fans another themed evening to gather, show their Panther pride, and support the team.
The back-to-back home matches offer Claflin an opportunity to build on its recent performance in front of the home crowd before heading out for its final nonconference road trip of the regular season.
Claflin concludes the week Saturday, Oct. 31, with a trip to Augusta, Georgia, to face Paine College. The contest marks the Lady Panthers' final non-conference road trip of the regular season and provides one more opportunity to sharpen their play before the schedule winds down.
The Lady Panthers opened the season with a 3-0 victory over Paine on Sept. 1. Claflin will look to carry that success into the rematch as it wraps up its October schedule.
Beyond volleyball, Claflin Athletics will turn its attention to the upcoming basketball season with its annual Panther Madness celebration Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 9 p.m. inside Tullis Arena. The event will mark the unofficial start of basketball season, bringing the Claflin community together to celebrate the men's and women's programs ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Students, faculty, staff, and fans are encouraged to attend and help build excitement for another season of Panther basketball.
With two home conference matches, a road trip to close out its non-conference schedule, and Panther Madness on the calendar, Claflin Athletics has plenty for Panther fans to follow this week. Fans are encouraged to come out, support the Lady Panthers, and join the excitement as basketball season approaches.
Stay Connected
For complete coverage of Claflin Athletics, follow us on social media at @claflin_athletics (Instagram) or Claflin University-Athletics (Facebook), or visit the official home of the Panthers at www.athletics.claflins.edu.
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.
