MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Behind a team-high 18 kills from Khiani Kelly, the Lander volleyball team earned a hard-fought 3-1 road victory against Peach Belt Conference rival Montevallo on Friday night. The Beacats defeated the Falcons 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22. 

Lander, who entered the weekend ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Southeast Regional Poll, improves to 19-9 overall and 7-8 in the PBC. Montevallo falls to 13-12, (5-10). 

Kelly's 18 kills were the most for the senior since Oct. 8, when she tallied 19 against Montevallo in five-set home win for the Bearcats. Halle Dotson hit .300 on the night and blasted 15 kills. Sophia Perkins and Katie Haake contributed double-doubles, as Perkins recorded 30 assists and 16 digs, while Haake finished with 12 assists and 11 digs. Hannah McManus led the Bearcats with 30 digs and Kendall Korte added 21 on the night. Amanda Medlock finished with 11 digs. Lander totaled 11 blocks, with Reyonia Whipple and Reilly Kunstler each recording 2.5 to lead the Bearcats at the net. 

The Bearcats trailed 24-21 in the first set before a Kelly kill pulled the Bearcats within two. Montevallo followed with four consecutive attack errors to give Lander an early lead. After Lander opened up a 6-0 lead in the second set, the Falcons rallied to even the match at 1-1. The Bearcats withstood a late Montevallo run in the third set to reclaim the lead and a 7-0 run midway through the fourth set proved to be the difference as Lander held on for the win. 

Lander sits at seventh in the PBC standings with three matches to play. The top eight teams advanced to the conference tournament. 

The Bearcats conclude a three-game road trip on Saturday afternoon, as Lander visits Columbus State at 2:00 p.m.