GREENWOOD, S.C. | Georgia College & State University opened Peach Belt Conference play with a five-set loss to Lander University Friday (Sept. 18) at Finis Horne Arena.
The Bobcats came out strong, taking the opening set 25-19 before Lander responded with a 25-16 victory in the second. GCSU regained the advantage with a 25-23 win in the third, but the Bearcats took the fourth set 25-14 to force a deciding fifth.
GCSU battled in the fifth set, hitting .304 with nine kills and just two errors, but Lander pulled away for a 15-12 victory to secure the match.
Nya Warren made her return to the Bobcats lineup and recorded 10 kills, tying Sierra Piland for the team lead. Reece Wright added eight kills. Ile Bernis dished out 24 assists, followed by Miki Parrott with 21.
Milla Smith controlled the back row with 23 digs, followed by Bernis with 14 and Haley Mendoza with 12. Emersyn Mullvain led GCSU at the net with six blocks, followed by Warren and Piland with four apiece.
The Bobcats fell to 3-12 overall and 0-1 in Peach Belt Conference play.
About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 13 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and six-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the
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