AIKEN, S.C. - The Lander volleyball team dropped a neutral-site match to Montevallo in straight sets Friday afternoon at the USCA Invitational inside the Convocation Center.
The Bearcats (1-3) battled the Falcons (4-1) in a tight opening set before falling 25-23. Montevallo carried the momentum into the final two frames, taking them 25-7 and 25-12 to secure the 3-0 victory.
Lander controlled much of the opening set, using a 4-0 run to build a 13-8 advantage before eventually stretching its lead to 21-17 late in the frame. Montevallo responded down the stretch, scoring four straight to tie the set at 21-21. The Bearcats briefly regained the lead at 22-21 and again at 23-22, but the Falcons scored the final three points to steal the opening set 25-23.
The Falcons took control from there, hitting .520 with 16 kills and just three attack errors in the second set. Montevallo carried its offensive efficiency into the third, hitting .361 on its way to closing out the match.
Montevallo finished the afternoon hitting .372 with 44 kills, while Lander recorded 23 kills on a .105 hitting percentage. The Falcons also held advantages in assists (40-22), service aces (7-2) and digs (51-36), while the teams finished even with two total blocks apiece.
The Blue and Gold return to action Saturday, Sept. 5, with a pair of matches at the Augusta Invitational in Augusta, Ga. The Bearcats will face Carson-Newman at 11 a.m. before closing out the day against Shorter at 4 p.m.
