Box Score Kia Thomas led Clark Atlanta with 11 kills, but the Lady Panthers couldn't hold off Lander University, falling 3-0 Saturday on the road in South Carolina.

The first set was tied after a Thomas kill made it 4-4, but Lander (13-2) went on a 12-1 run to take a 16-5 advantage.  CAU closed to within seven points after a Sierra Nelson kill followed by another CAU point to pull to 22-15.  Lander scored three of the next four points to take the first set.

The Lady Panthers (0-4) stood toe-to-toe with Lander in the second set, with set tied most of the way.  A Thomas kill, with an assist by Nelson, tied the set at 19-19.   CAU then was then outscored 6-2 as Lander eked out a second set win.

Ashley Elmore's service ace knotted the third set at 7-7 before Lander's 7-1 run over the next eight points put the game out of reach.

Thomas, the SIAC's preseason Offensive Player of the Year, had 11 points to lead CAU Saturday.  Nelson, also a preseason All-Conference pick, had 22 assists along with seven digs.  Shaya Shally-Jensen had five kills, 14 digs and a service ace. Alexis Gaines had ten digs for the Lady Panthers.

Lander was led by Kaitlyn Krafka who had 17 kills and eight digs.  Madilyn Reed had 31 assists.

The Lady Panthers open Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Thursday at 9 a.m. when they take on Central State in the SIAC Crossover in Albany, Ga.   That day, they also take on LeMoyne Owen and then Lane to start the three-day tournament.