Lander Takes Down Middle Georgia to Complete Weekend Sweep

Lander F-1167 7-10,4-3 Peach Belt

Middle Georgia F-30272 2-18,0-7 Peach Belt

Lander F-1167

7-10,4-3 Peach Belt

Final

Oct. 10, 2026

Middle Georgia F-30272

2-18,0-7 Peach Belt

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Lander F-1167	25	25	27	25	(3)
Middle Georgia F-30272	18	23	29	18	(1)

Summary
Box Score

Wilson Moreno

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | 10/10/2026 4:10:00 PM | Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

Lander Takes Down Middle Georgia to Complete Weekend Sweep

MACON, Ga. - A strong performance at the net and another impressive defensive effort helped the Lander volleyball team complete a weekend sweep of Middle Georgia on Saturday afternoon as the Bearcats defeated the Knights 3-1 in Peach Belt Conference action.

Lander (7-10, 4-3 PBC) claimed the victory with set scores of 25-18, 25-23, 27-29 and 25-18, winning its second consecutive match after dropping four straight entering the weekend. The victory also gave the Bearcats a sweep of the three-match season series against Middle Georgia (2-18, 0-7 PBC).

Amelia May led the way for Lander at the net, recording 11 blocks, including three solo blocks, while adding nine kills on a .444 hitting percentage. Karson Browning joined May with a strong defensive performance, contributing seven blocks to go along with 10 kills.

Gracelyn America paced the Bearcats offensively with 13 kills, reaching that mark for the third consecutive match, while Quinn Butler added 11 kills and 11 digs to record a double-double. Ryleigh Willard was nearly perfect on the attack, finishing with seven kills on 13 attempts without committing an error for a .538 hitting percentage.

Sam Alwardt recorded a match-high 31 digs to anchor the Lander defense, while freshman setter Madeline Green collected 35 assists and 14 digs for a double-double. Andrea Crawford added 11 digs and three service aces, while Krista Lauck contributed 12 assists.

The opening set saw the two teams trade points through the first 14 rallies before Lander took complete control of the frame. With the score tied at 7-7, Green stepped to the service line and helped the Bearcats rattle off 10 consecutive points to open a commanding 17-7 advantage.

During the run, May and Butler each recorded a pair of kills while May and Browning combined for two blocks as the Lander defense forced several Middle Georgia attack errors.

The Knights did not go away quietly, however, as Caitlyn Wolf delivered three consecutive service aces during a five-point run that cut the Bearcats' lead to 20-16. Lander answered with consecutive kills from Butler and a service ace from Crawford to push the margin back to eight before closing out the set 25-18.

Lander's offense was at its best in the opening frame, hitting .433 with 14 kills against just one attack error.

The second set proved to be a much more competitive affair as the Knights jumped ahead 7-5 before Lander used a 6-3 stretch to take an 11-10 lead. The Bearcats continued to build their advantage behind kills from Browning and America, eventually stretching the margin to 19-15 following back-to-back kills from Willard.

Middle Georgia responded by scoring six of the next eight points to erase the deficit and tie the frame at 21-21. A block from May briefly restored the Lander lead, but the Knights answered to keep the set tied at 22-22.

America delivered a kill to put the Bearcats back in front before Wolf tied the set once again at 23-23. Browning then came through with a kill to give Lander set point, and a Middle Georgia attack error secured the 25-23 victory and a two-set advantage for the visitors.

The Bearcats appeared poised to close out the match in straight sets after jumping out to a 4-0 advantage in the third frame. Green recorded a service ace during the opening stretch, while Crawford and May each added kills.

Lander continued to control the pace of the set, maintaining a four-point advantage at 16-12 following a kill from America. The Knights began to find their offensive rhythm, however, using a 7-3 stretch to tie the score at 19-19.

The Bearcats regained a two-point advantage at 21-19 and later held a 24-23 lead following a kill from Butler, but Middle Georgia answered each time Lander threatened to put the match away.

A Knights attack error gave Lander another set point at 25-24 before Middle Georgia scored consecutive points to take its first lead of the closing stretch. America and Browning each delivered kills to keep the Bearcats alive, with Browning's attack tying the score at 27-27.

Middle Georgia scored the final two points on Lander attack errors to take the set 29-27 and extend the match.

The Bearcats quickly put the disappointment of the third set behind them, opening the fourth frame with a 5-1 advantage behind kills from May, America and Green.

Middle Georgia pulled within two at 7-5, but Crawford helped Lander seize control from the service line. The junior recorded two aces during a four-point run that stretched the Bearcats' advantage to 11-5.

Lander maintained its lead through the middle portion of the frame, with Willard recording a pair of kills to help keep the Knights at a distance. After Middle Georgia cut the margin to 18-15, the Bearcats responded with three consecutive points, including a kill from May, to extend their lead to 21-15.

The Knights made one final push to pull within 22-18, but Lander's defense answered at the net as May and Browning combined for a block to start a three-point run. Willard followed with a kill to bring up match point before Butler delivered a service ace to seal the 25-18 victory.

Lander finished the afternoon with 58 kills on a .226 hitting percentage while limiting Middle Georgia to .137. The Bearcats also held advantages in digs (82-67), assists (52-42) and total blocks (13-6).

Wolf led the Knights with a match-high 19 kills and 15 digs, while April Townsend finished with eight kills on a .471 hitting percentage and five blocks.

The victory marked Lander's third win over Middle Georgia this season after the Bearcats swept the Knights at Finis Horne Arena on Sept. 19 and earned a 3-1 victory in Friday's series opener.

Lander returns home next weekend for a two-match Peach Belt Conference series against USC Aiken at Finis Horne Arena. The Bearcats and Pacers open the series Friday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. before concluding the weekend Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m.

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