DUE WEST - The Lander volleyball team won its season-opening game Tuesday night when the Bearcats defeated Erskine College, 3-1, in a non-conference game in Belk Arena. Lander won, 25-13, 22-25, 25-16, 25-6.

Lander is 1-0 overall, while Erskine drops to 2-3.

Erskine, which is coached by former Lander player Heather Peden Vahjen, is fielding a volleyball team for the first time since it discontinued the program in 1997.

Melissa McCracken led the Bearcats with 20 kills, 18 digs, one service ace and one block, while Magi Nottingham added 23 digs, four service aces and five kills. Candace LaRocca recorded 37 assists, seven kills, four kills, while Ashley Ferry had 32 digs and Abbey Focht nine.

Lander fired a .297 attack percentage.

Lander will play travel to Gaffney, S.C. this weekend to play in a tournament hosted by Limestone College on Friday and Saturday.