This Week in Athletics: Panthers Hit the Road for a Busy Week of CIAA Volleyball
Terica Peay
Orangeburg, S.C. — The Lady Panthers are preparing for a busy week of CIAA competition after a week that featured a conference road test, a successful home-court performance, and strong showings from both cross-country squads.
Claflin opened last week with its first CIAA matchup of the season, traveling to face Livingstone. The Lady Panthers battled throughout the contest but ultimately fell 3-1 to the Lady Blue Bears. The team quickly regrouped and returned home for a conference matchup against Johnson C. Smith. In front of the home crowd, Claflin protected its home court with a 3-1 victory over the Golden Bulls, improving to 7-6 overall and 1-1 in CIAA play while remaining undefeated at home.
While volleyball handled business on the court, Claflin's men's and women's cross-country teams traveled to Rock Hill, South Carolina, for the Winthrop Invitational. The men's team finished third, while the women's team placed fourth against a field that included NCAA Division I, Division II, and NAIA programs.
The Week Ahead
With cross-country taking the week off, the spotlight returns to volleyball as the Lady Panthers prepare for two road trips and a demanding stretch of CIAA competition.
Claflin begins the week Monday, Sept. 28, traveling to Fayetteville, North Carolina, for a 6 p.m. matchup against the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos inside Capel Arena.
The Lady Panthers will look to carry the momentum from their home victory into another conference road environment as they continue to navigate the early portion of the CIAA schedule.
Following Monday's matchup, Claflin will make its way to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for CIAA Roundup 1, hosted by Winston-Salem State University.
The three-day event begins Friday, Oct. 2, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 4, with matches played at the C.E. Gaines Center and Whitaker Gymnasium.
The Lady Panthers are scheduled to face Lincoln University, Virginia Union University, Bowie State University, Elizabeth City State University, Virginia State University, and Shaw University during the weekend slate.
With six conference opponents awaiting, CIAA Roundup 1 will provide Claflin with an opportunity to build momentum, test its depth, and continue establishing its identity as the conference season progresses.
The Lady Panthers enter the week looking to build on their home-court success while embracing the challenge that comes with life on the road.
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.
