Ashley Elmore had 15 kills as the Clark Atlanta University volleyball team defeated Benedict College 3-0 Friday in Columbia, S.C. for their fifth win in a row.

The Lady Panthers (8-7, 8-3 SIAC) haven't lost since Sept. 28 when Kentucky State beat CAU 3-1 during the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Crossover.  The Lady Panthers haven't lost a set during their five-game winning streak.

Clark Atlanta led by as many as seven points during the first set, though Benedict closed to within four late in the set.  Kia Thomas and Sierra Nelson had kills to close out the first set 25-19.

The second set was a close one until CAU broke a 14-14 tie with a 6-0 run that was topped off by Thomas's service ace.   The Lady Panthers scored five of the next six points to win the second set 25-16.

In the final set, Benedict kept things close as they trailed by two – 19-17 – late.  But Taylor Prude's kill ended the set, 25-22 and the match.

Elmore was joined by Thomas in double-digit kills as Thomas had 10.  Thomas also had three aces.  Brittany Warren-Dancy finished with eight kills and three blocks, while Sierra Nelson had 43 assists and two aces. Alexis Gaines made ten digs while Prude had seven, along with two blocks and an assist. Shaya Shally-Jensen had three blocks, three assists and six digs.

The win solidifies the Lady Panthers' hold on first place in the SIAC East Division.  CAU is two games ahead of second place Albany State and at 3-0 is the only team in the East with an undefeated record.

The Lady Panthers play their first home game of the season Tuesday, Oct. 16 when they host Tuskegee at 6 p.m. in L.S. Epps Gymnasium.  Admission to that game is free of charge.