The Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers took the last three sets to pick up a key conference victory on the road, defeating Fort Valley State University 3-2 on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

It was the second consecutive victory for the Lady Panthers (4-7, 3-6 SIAC) after losing five of seven in the SIAC Crossover.  It also keeps them within a game of second place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division race.

Fort Valley State (3-9, 2-8 SIAC) came out blazing, leading the entire first set and maintaining control, winning the set 25-15.   The Lady Panthers erased an early seven-point lead in the second set on the strength of an 8-0 run that made it 12-11 CAU after Chara Robbins' service ace.   The set stayed close, but a 5-0 FVSU run late was the difference as the Wildcats took the second set 25-21.

In the third set, CAU jumped out to a 7-1 lead early and ended the set with an 8-3 run to win the set 25-20 and stave off defeat.  They did it again in the fourth set by jumping out to a seven-point lead early, maintain the advantage to take the fourth set 25-14.

In the deciding fifth set, the Lady Panthers led pretty much the entire way – led by three Taylor Prude kills – to win the set 15-8, and the match.

Prude finished with 11 kills and 17 digs for CAU, while Lauryn Terry led the Lady Panthers with 15 kills, four service aces and four digs.  Kia Thomas had seven kills, five digs and three aces while Ashley Elmore had eight kills, four digs and three aces.  Tiana Crider had 18 digs while Robbins finished with 37 assists, six digs and four aces.

India King led Fort Valley State with 16 kills.

The Lady Panthers are back home for two home games, beginning Friday, Oct. 11, when they host Paine College at 6 p.m.