Volleyball takes opening set before falling to Augusta in Home Finale

Augusta AU 11-16,7-6 Peach Belt

Lander Lander 7-17,4-9 Peach Belt

Augusta AU

11-16,7-6 Peach Belt

Final

Oct. 31, 2026

Lander Lander

7-17,4-9 Peach Belt

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Augusta AU	21	26	25	25	(3)
Lander Lander	25	24	14	18	(1)

Summary
Box Score

Wilson Moreno

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | 10/31/2026 5:24:00 PM | Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Volleyball takes opening set before falling to Augusta in Home Finale

GREENWOOD - The Lander women's volleyball team came out strong in its regular-season home finale Saturday afternoon, taking the opening set against Augusta before falling 3-1 in Peach Belt Conference action at Finis Horne Arena.

The Bearcats (7-17, 4-9 PBC) claimed the first set 25-21 before the Jaguars (11-16, 7-6 PBC) responded, taking the next three sets 26-24, 25-14 and 25-18.

Freshman Gracelyn America led Lander offensively with a team-high 14 kills on a .270 hitting percentage, while Quinn Butler followed with 11 kills and six digs. Karson Browning added six kills and two service aces.

The Bearcats put together a strong performance at the net, finishing with 11 team blocks to hold an 11-9 advantage over Augusta. Olivia Shaw led the defensive effort with a career-high nine total blocks, while Amelia May added six and America contributed three. Shaw and May also recorded four kills apiece.

Sam Alwardt anchored the back row with a match-high 25 digs and three service aces. Freshman setter Madeline Green recorded a double-double with 34 assists and 16 digs, while Camryn Scherer added nine digs.

Lander opened the first set with a strong defensive presence, using an early block from May and Shaw to get on the board. After Augusta built a 10-5 lead, the Bearcats responded with a three-point run highlighted by a kill from Butler to cut the deficit to 10-8.

Trailing 14-10, Lander put together four consecutive points behind kills from Green, May and Shaw to even the score at 14-14. The Jaguars briefly regained the advantage before the Bearcats answered with a five-point run to take a 22-18 lead. Lander maintained its momentum down the stretch, with Butler delivering the final kill to secure the opening set 25-21.

The Bearcats carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead behind kills from Butler, a service ace, and blocks from Shaw and May. Lander continued to control the early portion of the frame, extending its advantage to 12-6.

Augusta responded with a run to take a 15-14 lead, but the Bearcats answered with consecutive kills from America and Shaw to stay within reach. With the score tied at 16-16, Lander used a five-point run highlighted by three kills from America to build a 21-16 advantage.

The Jaguars battled back to even the score at 22-22 before the teams traded points. A kill from Butler tied the set at 24-24, but Augusta secured the final two points to take the frame 26-24 and even the match at one set apiece.

In the third set, Augusta jumped out to an early 12-3 advantage. Lander attempted to cut into the deficit behind kills from America and Browning, along with an Alwardt service ace, but the Jaguars maintained control to claim the set 25-14.

Augusta carried its momentum into the fourth set, building an early 11-2 lead. The Bearcats kept fighting, putting together a four-point run late in the frame. A block from Butler and Shaw, followed by back-to-back service aces from Browning, cut the deficit to six at 23-17. However, the Jaguars held on to take the final set 25-18 and secure the match.

Lander finished with 41 kills, seven service aces, 11 blocks and 75 digs. Augusta recorded 56 kills on a .202 hitting percentage and 84 digs.

The Bearcats will close out the regular season with a two-match PBC road series against Flagler, which clinched the regular-season title Saturday. Lander will face the Saints on Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. before concluding the regular season Saturday, Nov. 7, at 3 p.m. Both matches will take place in St. Augustine, Fla.

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