The Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers volleyball team earned a big, early season road win Friday, defeating Benedict 3-1.

The win gave the Lady Panthers (6-5, 5-4 SIAC) second place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division race, just ahead of Benedict (8-6, 4-4 SIAC).  

Friday, the Lady Panthers held off Benedict in the first set by erasing a mid-set deficit with an 8-3 run keyed by two Kia Thomas kills and one each from Miara Bolden and Amirah Bentley.  Benedict rallied late, pulling within one at 22-21, but kills from Thomas and Jalen Dickerson helped give CAU the first set 25-22.

The second set saw the Lady Panthers jump out early and then warding off Benedict with a 7-2 run late to win that set 25-20.

Benedict fought back on the strength of a 10-3 run midway through the third set to win that frame 25-17.

A 7-0 CAU run midway through the fourth set gave the Lady Panthers the separation they needed to cruise to the 25-19 win in the set and to take the match.

Thomas continues her strong play this season, getting 15 kills, two aces, and 12 digs for CAU.  Bolden finished with 11 kills, three blocks, while Kiara Finley added nine kills and three digs.  TiAna Crider had 17 digs for the Lady Panthers while Amirah Bentley had season-highs in 41 assists, six kills and eight digs.

The Lady Panthers return home on Monday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. when they step out of conference play to host Valdosta State.