Fayetteville, N.C. — The Claflin University Lady Panthers battled from the opening serve Monday night, competing point-for-point with the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos in a hard-fought CIAA matchup inside Capel Arena.
Claflin came out strong in the opening set, taking an early lead and staying in front through the first 10 points. The two teams traded momentum throughout the set, with the score tied six times. Fayetteville State eventually pulled ahead to take the opening set.
The Lady Broncos opened the second set with a 2-0 advantage, but Claflin quickly answered with a 3-0 run to take the lead. The teams continued to exchange points before Fayetteville State created some separation at 19-14 and closed out the set.
Claflin again established an early advantage in the third set, opening with a 2-0 lead and holding the edge until the first tie at 4-4. The Lady Panthers continued to compete throughout the set, creating several promising moments on both sides of the net.
Zaniya Harris led Claflin with six kills, while
Aryanna Connell and
Monica Burns contributed four kills each. Burns also anchored the Panthers at the net with four blocks, while Harris and
Taylor Miller recorded three blocks apiece.
At the service line, Connell, Burns and
Joi Tinsley each recorded an ace. Tinsley directed the offense with a team-high nine assists, followed by
Nadia Embry with six.
Defensively,
Abigail Watts led the Panthers with 15 digs. Harris added seven digs, while Connell contributed two.
Claflin finished the match with 20 kills, 17 assists, three service aces, 32 digs and 10 total blocks, including five solo blocks and 10 block assists.
Up Next
The Lady Panthers now turn their attention to CIAA Roundup 1, scheduled for Oct. 2-4 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Hosted by Winston-Salem State University, the three-day event will feature Claflin matchups against Lincoln, Virginia Union, Bowie State, Elizabeth City State, Virginia State, and Shaw.
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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.
