AIKEN - The Lander volleyball team split its games Friday at the USC Aiken Invitational when the Bearcats defeated Anderson University, 3-2, then fell to Valdosta State, 3-2. Lander outscored the Trojans, 25-17, 14-25, 25-18, 22-25, and 15-8. Valdosta State defeated Lander, 25-20, 21-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11.
Lander is 4-2 overall.
Against Anderson, Melissa McCracken led Lander with 22 kills, while Lindsey Everhart added 12 and three block assists, and Mallory Wasik 10 kills and three service aces. Setter Candace LaRocca added 51 assists, nine digs and four service aces, while Magi Nottingham had seven kills and 18 digs and Madison Kubal 29 digs.
Against Valdosta State, Nottingham had 14 kills and 11 digs, while McCracken added 10 kills and seven digs and Courtney Simmons nine kills. LaRocca recorded 37 assists and 14 digs, while Kubal had 14 digs, Chelsey Corgan 11 and Abbey Focht 10. Nottingham and Hannah Dederick each had three service aces. Dederick led the Bearcats in blocks with four block assists.
Lander will meet Limestone at 2 p.m. Saturday.