BANNER ELK, N.C. - The Lander volleyball team opened its season at 1-1 Friday when the Bearcats split its first-day games at the Carolina Challenge by defeating Lees-McRae, 5-3, then falling to Tusculum, 3-0.

In the first game, Lander def. Lees-McRae, 25-22, 19-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-11.

For Lander, Mallory Wasik and Jordan Rix had 13 and 10 kills respectively, while Magi Nottingham added eight, including the match winner. Jessica Register posted 32 assists, while Nottingham and Madison Kubal each totaled 15 digs and Register had 14. Rix and Rebekah Davis each had five block assists.

For Lees-McRae, Taylor Clendenin and Megan Epperson had 18 and 14 kills respectively, Megan Mitchell posted 41 assists, and Sarah Suryadevara had a game-high 23 digs. Epperson and Clendenin had 19 and 13 digs respectively.

In the second game, Tusculum downed Lander, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22.

For Lander, Rix had 14 kills, Register 27 assists, and Kubal 19 digs.

Natalie Gaudreau led the Lady Pioneers with 13 kills, while Ashley Sarmiento added 34 assists. Caitlyn Dean led the team in digs with 15, while Gaudreau had 14 and Sam Underwood 11.