Winston-Salem, N.C. — The Claflin University volleyball team closed out the opening day of CIAA Roundup 1 with a split, battling through two matches Friday at the C.E. Gaines Center.
The Lady Panthers dropped their opening match to Virginia Union, 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16), before responding with a convincing 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-16) sweep of Lincoln University to finish the day 1-1 and improve to 8-8 overall and 2-3 in CIAA play.
Claflin vs. Virginia Union
Claflin opened the day against Virginia Union, looking to set the tone early in the conference roundup. The Lady Panthers battled throughout the match but ultimately fell to Virginia Union, 3-0.
Claflin kept pace at the net, finishing with a 6-4 edge in blocks.
Taylor Miller and
Monica Burns led the attack with six kills apiece, while
Aryanna Connell added five kills. Miller also made her presence felt defensively with a team-high five blocks.
Grayson Graham and
Jamila Lewis each added two blocks.
Nadia Embry orchestrated the offense with 15 assists, while
Joi Tinsley contributed 11.
Jadah Rasool anchored the defensive effort with 11 digs, followed by Connell with seven and Embry with five. Connell finished with two service aces, while
Zaniya Harris added one.
Claflin vs. Lincoln
The Lady Panthers quickly turned the page in their second match of the day. Claflin came out with purpose against Lincoln, controlling the match from the opening serve and never letting up. The Lady Panthers rolled to a 25-16, 25-12, 25-16 victory to close the day on a high note.
The offense found its rhythm from the start, as Claflin recorded 39 kills on 88 attempts while hitting .284 as a team.
Zaniya Harris led the way with 13 kills, while Connell and Burns chipped in seven kills apiece.
The service game was equally effective. Tinsley delivered four aces, while Embry added three and Graham recorded two.
Burns was a force at the net with five blocks, while Embry added one. Embry also guided the offense with 15 assists, matching her assist total from the opening match. Tinsley finished with 11 assists, while
Abigail Watts added three. Embry also posted a team-high 10 digs, followed by Watts with eight and Tinsley with five.
After dropping the first match of the day, Claflin's response was exactly what the Lady Panthers needed: a strong offensive performance, aggressive serving, and a defensive effort that kept Lincoln out of rhythm.
The Lady Panthers return to action Saturday with two more conference matches. Claflin faces Bowie State at 9 a.m., before closing out the day against Elizabeth City State at 7 p.m. With two more opportunities ahead, the Lady Panthers will look to carry Friday night's sweep momentum into the final day of competition.
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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.
