AUGUSTA, Ga. - Lander volleyball suffered its first Peach Belt Conference loss of the season Tuesday night, falling 3-1 to Augusta in its first conference road test inside Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Bearcats (5-7, 2-1 PBC) dropped the first two sets before responding with a 25-20 victory in the third, but the Jaguars (5-8, 3-0 PBC) closed out the match in the fourth for a 25-15, 25-18, 20-25, 25-15 victory.
Quinn Butler led Lander with 12 kills and 10 digs to record her sixth double-double of the season. Karson Browning followed with 10 kills on a .273 hitting percentage and added three blocks and a service ace.
Sam Alwardt led the Bearcat defense with a match-high 22 digs, while Olivia Shaw recorded a team-high four blocks. Emma Greenier and Madeline Green combined for 26 assists with 15 and 11, respectively.
Augusta controlled the opening set, using an early run to build separation before taking the frame 25-15. The Jaguars carried that momentum into the second, hitting .415 with 20 kills to take a 2-0 advantage in the match with a 25-18 win.
Facing a must-win third set, Lander found its rhythm. The Bearcats trailed 14-10 before rattling off six consecutive points to take their first outright lead of the night. Butler delivered two service aces during the run, while Shaw added a kill as Lander moved in front 16-14.
The Bearcats never trailed again. Lander hit a match-best .321 in the third while holding Augusta to a .077 clip. Butler put down the final kill to secure the 25-20 win and extend the match.
Lander looked to carry the momentum into the fourth and stayed within striking distance early, pulling within one at 10-9. Augusta answered, however, and began to create separation before pulling away for a 25-15 victory to close out the match.
The Bearcats finished with 33 kills, 31 assists, 63 digs, six blocks and four service aces. Augusta hit .248 for the match and recorded 60 kills, including 19 from Emma Haren and 17 from Nikol Antova.
The loss snapped Lander's three-match winning streak and moved the Bearcats to 2-1 in Peach Belt play.Â
Lander continues its road swing Saturday, traveling to Aiken, S.C., to face the University of South Carolina Aiken at 1 p.m. The Pacers enter the matchup 4-0 at home this season.
