Aiken, S.C. – Freshman right side hitter Hannah Hritz recorded 13 kills in a losing effort as the Lander volleyball team (9-5, 2-4 PBC) fell to USC Aiken 3-1. The loss marks the team's fourth straight defeat since defeating Francis Marion on Sept. 16th.

USC Aiken (13-2, 4-0 PBC) jumped out to a commanding 14-6 lead in the first set behind four kills and a service ace from freshman Alie Smith. The Bearcats were unable to recover after the slow start as the Pacers took the first game by a score of 25-17.

Lander fell behind again in the second set as the Pacers raced out to an early 6-0 advantage. The Bearcats rallied to cut the USC Aiken lead to just one point with the score at 18-17. However senior outside hitter Julia Forster countered with three kills to stifle the Lander run and give USC Aiken the 25-21 set victory.

The Bearcats took advantage of 14 committed errors by USC Aiken in the third set to claim the 25-21 victory. Hritz registered three kills and sophomore middle back Reilly Kuenstler added two.

USC Aiken responded in the fourth set with a 25-21 set win behind a 13-8 run by the Pacers. Lander recorded three consecutive points to cut the USC Aiken lead to two points with the Pacers holding the 23-21 lead. However the USC Aiken attack proved to be too much as Smith recorded her game-high 17th kill to give the Pacers the 3-1 match win.

Sophomore libero Hannah McManus registered 33 digs and junior setter Sophia Perkins added 25 assists.

Lander will return to Horne Arena on Friday for the PBC/SAC Crossover as the Bearcats look to end their losing skid against Carson-Newman at 12:00 p.m.