AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Lander volleyball team will be the third seed in next week's Peach Belt Conference tournament at UNC Pembroke after the Bearcats defeated Augusta State, 3-1, Saturday afternoon in their final PBC regular-season game of the season. Lander, which travels to Mars Hill on Monday for a non-conference game, defeated the Lady Jaguars, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-16.

Lander improves to 21-10 overall and 7-3 in the PBC, while Augusta State falls to 14-20, 3-7.

The Bearcats will open the PBC tournament at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 against sixth-seeded UNC Pembroke. The Lander/UNCP winner will face second-seeded Francis Marion at 5 p.m. Saturday. The championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16.

For Lander, Kerri Sorensen had 18 kills and 13 digs, while Candace LaRocca added 59 assists and 13 digs, Magi Nottingham 14 kills and 12 digs, Kay Stewart 18 kills, three blocks and three block assists, Marina Camps 20 digs and Ashley Ferry 13 digs.

Augusta State was led by Jessica Hanson (19 kills), Jessica Howard (17 kills), Ashley Zappitell 47 assists, Lindsey Weider 20 digs and Dianna Meyer 13 digs.

The Bearcats posted a .346 hitting average, while holding ASU to .162.