MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Lander volleyball team dropped a five-set decision to Georgia College on the road Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats defeated the Bearcats 25-19, 11-25, 16-25, 25-16, 15-8.

Lander (16-4, 3-2 PBC) held a 2-1 lead after three sets, but Georgia College (10-8, 3-3 PBC) responded to improve to .500 in Peach Belt Conference play.

Georgia College took an early lead with a 25-19 win in set one, but Lander answered with a resounding 25-11 victory in set two to tie the match. The Bearcats took advantage of six Bobcat errors and broke open a 2-2 tie with an 11-3 run to take control of the set. Imari Ashley notched three kills in Lander's final five points of the set. 

Lander fell behind 10-7 in the third set, but three kills from Kaitlyn Krafka sparked a 9-0 spurt from the Bearcats as Lander cruised to a 25-16 win. 

The Bearcats scored the first point of the fourth set, but would not lead again as the Bobcats earned a 25-16 win to force a fifth and final set. 

Trailing 3-2, Georgia College rattled off six consecutive points to build a lead that Lander would not overcome, as the Bobcats clinched the match with a 15-8 win. 

Reilly Kuenstler notched a career-high 17 kills in the loss, while Hannah Hritz added 16 kills. Madilyn Reed posted her third consecutive double-double with 46 assists and 16 digs. Hannah McManus led all Bearcats with 32 digs. 

Lander faces non-conference opponent Converse on the road Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.