PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Lander volleyball team opened the weekend with a conference sweep of UNC Pembroke on the road Friday night. The Bearcats defeated the Braves 25-11, 25-16, 25-20. 

Lander (19-4, 5-2 PBC) earned its second win of the week over UNC Pembroke (8-16, 0-7 PBC) after beating the Braves 3-1 on Monday night in Greenwood. 

The Bearcats led 9-6 in the first set and won 16 of the next 21 points to secure the first point of the evening. With the second set knotted at 4-4, Lander won the next five points to take command of the set, crusing to a 25-16 win and a 2-0 lead. 

Lander trailed 12-11 in the third set, but reclaimed the lead on a kill and an ensuing service ace from Kaitlyn Krafka. The Braves pulled to within a point at 18-17, but the Bearcats took advantage of three UNCP errors and a kill from Imari Ashley to pull ahead 22-17 and build a lead that the Braves could not overcome.

Krafka and Reilly Kuenstler led Lander with 12 kills each, as Kuenstler hit .600 for the match. Madilyn Reed tallied 35 assists on the night and Hannah McManus led the Bearcats with 25 digs.

Lander faces Francis Marion on the road at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. 

The Bearcats will face UNC Pembroke on the road Friday night.