Newberry, S.C. – The Lander volleyball team wrapped up its full slate of games at the Newberry Volleyball Invitational on Saturday in winning fashion, defeating North Greenville 3-2 and tournament host Newberry 3-1. The two wins capped off a perfect 4-0 weekend in the Bearcats' opening week of play.

With the Bearcats trailing two games to none against North Greenville, the comeback was on in the third set. Lander jumped out to the early 4-0 lead behind the serving of senior outside hitter Kirstin Martindale. Lander kept North Greenville at arm's length for the rest of the game as the Crusaders never cut the lead to less than four points.

North Greenville rallied in the fourth game claiming an early 11-6 lead as the two clubs neared the halfway point of the fourth set. However, Lander refused to be denied, as the Bearcats mounted a 6-1 run to knot the score at 12 behind one block and a kill from junior middle back Imari Ashley.

With the Bearcats securing a 24-21 lead, the Crusaders made a charge to lock the two sides at deuce. However the Bearcats were not phased, as Lander showed their mettle behind two straight kills from sophomore right side hitter Dale Rogers and Martindale.

In the final set played to just 15 points, North Greenville again claimed the early lead at 6-3. Lander weathered the storm as the Bearcats rebounded taking the late 11-9 lead behind two kills from Rogers. Senior right side hitter Reyonia Whipple closed the game with a kill of her own to give Lander the dramatic come-from-behind match victory over the Crusaders.

In Lander's last match of the day, the Bearcats started slow against tournament host Newberry, as the Wolves took the first set 25-14. Freshman right side hitter Hannah Hritz responded in the second set as the Florida native recorded four kills to propel Lander to a 25-16 win.

In the fourth set, the Bearcats and Wolves were even at 21 after a service ace from Newberry's Sidra Triplett. Lander responded with a combined four kills from Rogers and Whipple to secure the 25-23 win.

Lander cruised in the final set winning 25-12 to notch their fourth win of the season and a perfect record at the Newberry Volleyball Invitational.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Friday at 1:00 p.m. as the team will travel to take on Anderson in their first match of the USC Aiken Volleyball Invitational.