GREENWOOD - The Lander Bearcats powered through Winston-Salem in a four-sets, securing a 3-1 victory at Finis Horne Arena. With this win, Lander improved their season record to 10-3 (1-0 PBC) and showed their resilience after a brief second-set stumble.
"Tonight was the proverbial tale of two halves. The first two sets were not indicative of the type of volleyball we are capable of playing," said Head Coach Jeff Reynolds. "Once we got things figured out, we started playing volleyball like we're capable of playing."
How it Happened
Set 1: The Bearcats came out swinging, edging Winston-Salem 25-21 in a highly competitive first set. Katie Miller led the charge with precise hitting, contributing to Lander's 16 kills in the set, while Lauren Dow orchestrated the offense with a seamless 45 assists throughout the match. Lander's efficiency at the net was evident, hitting .234 compared to Winston-Salem's .143, establishing their early control of the game.
Set 2: Winston-Salem responded fiercely in the second set, tightening their defense and executing a more effective attack. They edged out the Bearcats 25-21, powered by Malani Martin's 15 kills. Despite the setback, Lander kept their composure, with Dow's setting and Miller's powerful swings keeping the Bearcats within striking distance, even as their hitting percentage slightly dipped to .262.
Set 3: The third set was all about Lander's resurgence as they steamrolled Winston-Salem 25-10. Lander's attack was nearly flawless, posting a remarkable hitting percentage of .435 while holding Winston-Salem to a negative hitting percentage of -0.048. Blondie Penaflor's defense at the net was impenetrable, with five blocks, while Miller's aggressive serving led to her six aces in the match, swinging the momentum heavily in Lander's favor.
Set 4: Lander kept the pressure on in the fourth set, wrapping up the match with a 25-19 win. The team had a balanced approach, with contributions from across the board—
Madde Blake stepped up when it mattered, attributing 10 kills, a season-high. The Bearcats' consistent play in digs and overall stronger net presence ensured they finished strong and claimed the set, securing the 3-1 victory.
The Bearcat's all-around team performance, highlighted by 58 kills and superior hitting percentages, paved the way for their victory.
Key Performances
Final Thoughts
"Winston-Salem State is a very nice team. They are athletic and didn't let many balls touch the floor in the first couple of sets. Their floor defense caused us some frustration early on," said Reynolds. "I'm proud of the way we kept fighting and worked through some of those early issues."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats will be back in the Finis Horne Arena on Thursday, Oct. 17, when they host Carson-Newman University starting at 6 p.m.
