This Week in Athletics: Panthers Prepare for Action-Packed Week as Conference Play Begins
Terica Peay
Orangeburg, S.C. — Claflin Athletics is coming off a week filled with resilience, recognition, and new beginnings as the volleyball and cross-country programs continue their 2026 campaigns.
The Lady Panthers battled South Carolina State in a back-to-back Battle of the Burg series, opening with a 3-0 setback before responding with a statement on their home court. Claflin rallied for a historic 3-1 victory over its fellow Garden City foe, closing the series with a memorable performance in front of a roaring home crowd.
Zaniya Harris helped lead the way with a standout performance in the series finale, recording her first double-double of the season with 14 kills and 10 digs. Her performance was part of a strong showing that helped the Lady Panthers split the series and build momentum heading into conference play.
The recognition continued off the court as
Nadia Embry and
Abigail Watts earned player of the week honors following their performances against South Carolina State. Claflin also enters the week ranked third in the conference, adding to the anticipation surrounding the start of league play.
Meanwhile, the Panthers officially opened the 2026 cross-country season at the Converse Kickoff in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with both the men's and women's teams finishing 15th.
Freshman
Devaun Rolle led the men's team with the Panthers' fastest 8K time of 28:36.7, while freshman
Jael Pratt paced the women's team with a team-best 26:33.4 in the 6K.
A Week of Conference Action
The Lady Panthers now turn their attention to conference play with a busy week ahead.
Claflin opens conference competition on the road Monday, Sept. 21, traveling to Salisbury, North Carolina, to face Livingstone College at 6 p.m. The Lady Panthers will then return home Thursday, Sept. 24, to welcome Johnson C. Smith University to Orangeburg.
The week concludes on the road for the Panthers' cross-country teams, who will travel to Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Friday, Sept. 25, for the Winthrop Invitational, hosted by Winthrop University.
With conference play underway and the cross-country season gaining momentum, the Panthers are ready for another busy week of competition.
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.
