Kia Thomas and Taylor Prude combined for 12 kills and four aces, but the Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers lost 3-0 to the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga., Tuesday.

Playing for the first time since opening their season 11 days ago, Clark Atlanta (1-1) was close early in the first set, down just 8-5.  But West Georgia (4-5) went on a 12-2 run on their way to takin the first set 25-9.

The Lady Panthers made things much closer in the second set, tying the game at 13-13 on Thomas' kill.   They were down just one – at 19-18 – after Ashley Elmore's kill.  But a 6-3 finish gave the Wolves the second set, 25-21.

In the third set, Clark Atlanta fell behind 5-0 early but fought back to tie the set at 9-all on Amirah Bentley's kill.  Thomas's kill a few points later put the Lady Panthers up 13-12.  The game was knotted at 15-15 until West Georgia finished the set and the match on a 10-1 to take the 3-0 victory in their home opener.

Thomas finished with seven kills, one block and an ace, while Prude had five kills, three aces, eight digs, an ace and a block.  Chara Robbins had ten digs and an assist, Lauryn Terry finished with five digs, and Bentley tallied 19 assists. Ashley Elmore had four kills for CAU.

The Lady Panthers are back on the court Thursday, September 19 when they visit Albany State at 6 p.m.