PEMBROKE, N.C. – The sixth-seeded UNC Pembroke volleyball team built up a 12-2 lead in the fifth and final set then held on to upset third-seeded Lander, 3-2, Saturday in the first game of the Peach Belt Conference tournament at UNCP's English E. Jones Center. The Braves downed the Bearcats, 18-25, 29-27, 14-25, 25-23, 15-7.
UNCP improves to 13-18 overall and advances to today's semifinal round against second-seeded Francis Marion. Lander drops to 22-11 overall and now waits to see if it will earn an at-large berth in next week's Southeast Regional tournament.
Three Lander players reached double figures, led by Kerri Sorensen's 18 kills and 14 digs. Setter Candace LaRocca had 51 assists and 19 digs, while Magi Nottingham added 10 kills and 13 digs. Kay Stewart posted a team-high 20 kills and Kendall Eayrs added 15. Marina Camps led the team in digs with 22.
UNCP was led by Allie Schneider, who recorded 28 kills, 24 digs and five service aces. Jessica Hartley and Rachel Young added 13 and 11 kills respectively, while Whitney Hanlin had 46 assists. Caitlin Haworth added 20 digs and Andrea Laza had 15.
For the match, Lander had a .278 hitting percentage and UNCP was .230.
