Shaya Shally-Jensen had a double-double and Ashley Elmore added 14 kills, but it wasn't enough as Clark Atlanta lost a four-set battle with Paine College 3-1 Monday at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.

The loss drops Clark Atlanta (9-9, 9-5 SIAC) into second place in the SIAC East Division, just percentage points behind Albany State with two games to go in the regular season.  Paine (11-7, 7-5 SIAC) is in third place behind CAU.

The first set was a tight, back-and-forth throughout, with neither team getting a lead of more than two points.  CAU had three chances to win the set in the end, final time after a Kia

Thomas kill off of an assist by Sierra Nelson made it 29-28.  But Paine scored the next three points to take the set 31-29.

The Lady Panthers jumped out to an early, 7-2 lead in the second set.  Paine closed to within two, but the Lady Panthers seized control of the set, cruising to a 25-15 win.

In the third set, CAU again jumped out to a 7-2 lead, but this time Paine held on, tying the set at 12-12.  CAU took the lead at 15-14 but Paine stayed close.  The closed out the set by winning three of the last four points and taking set 25-22.

Clark Atlanta led 7-6 early in the final set, but Paine had a short 4-0 run to go up 10-7. The Lady Panthers never led again as Paine won the set 25-22 and the match. The win avenged a 3-0, Oct. 2 loss to CAU. 

The Lady Panthers have lost their last two, but have won six of their last eight games.
Shally-Jensen finished with 14 kills and ten digs for CAU.  She also had an ace.  Ashley Elmore had 14 kills, six digs and four blocks, while Thomas finished with nine kills, five blocks, and an assist. Nelson had 44 assists, while Alexis Gaines had 19 digs and an ace. Mekhayla Gibson had three blocks.

Next up for the Lady Panthers is Fort Valley State at 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.  It will be Senior Night as Sierra Nelson, Brittany Warren-Dancy, Alexis Gaines, and Shaya Shally-Jensen will be honored.  Admission is free of charge.

The Lady Panthers close out the home and regular season schedule the next night when they host Benedict College at L.S. Epps Gymnasium. That match begins at 6 p.m.