GREENWOOD - The Lander volleyball team, playing without two starters, rallied in the fifth game to defeat USC Aiken, 3-2, in the Peach Belt Conference opener for both teams Wednesday night in Horne Arena. Lander won, 25-21, 18-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-10.

Lander improves to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in the PBC, while USC Aiken drops to 8-4, 0-1.

Melissa McCracken posted a double-double to pace the Bearcats with 16 kills and 18 digs. Lindsey Everhart and Kendall Eayrs added 12 kills each. Setter Candace LaRocca had 40 assists and five service aces, while Chelsey Corgan and Madison Kubal recorded 20 and 16 digs respectively.

USC Aiken was led by Chelsey Kight (13 kills), Shannon Byers (12 kills), Jessica Loper (11 kills), Lauren Cedeno (19 assists, 11 digs), Whitney Tabbert (19 assists, 12 digs) and Samantha Lukralle (20 digs).

Lander will host two PBC games this weekend. The Bearcats will play Armstrong Atlantic at 7 p.m. Friday and Flagler at 1 p.m. Saturday.