Box Score The Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers volleyball team ran into a determined Valdosta State squad, falling to the Blazers 3-0 Monday in L.S. Epps Gymnasium.

Clark Atlanta (6-6, 5-4 SIAC) had won three of their last four games, including a big Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division battle with Benedict.  But the Lady Panthers stepped out of conference against a Valdosta State (7-9, 1-3 Gulf South Conference) that had three of their last four matches.

The first set started out close as the trailed by only two – 12-10 – after a Jalen Dickerson kill.  But the Blazers ran off six of the next seven points to go up 18-11.  VSU ended up getting five of the last six points in the set to win the first frame 25-15.

The Lady Panthers battled hard in the second set, with the lead going back and forth.  Kia Thomas' kill midway tied the score 16-16.  But that was the last time Valdosta State finished the set on a 9-2 run to win the second set 25-18.

Dickerson's kill in the third set allowed the Lady Panthers to again pull close, tying the set at 11-11 as CAU continued to fight.  Valdosta State ran off five straight points to create some separation.  They then won six of the final nine points to win the set 25-17 and the match.

Miara Bolden led CAU with seven kills, while Dickerson finished with six and Thomas with five.  Dickerson also had six blocks. Kiara Finley had four kills, 12 digs and four blocks, while Amirah Bentley had 21 assists and six digs.

Valdosta State was led by Jojo Smith who had ten kills, while Kylie Stroehlein had nine kills, three aces and eight digs.  Tammy Reyes-Perez had 35 assists and two blocks.

The Lady Panthers are back on the road this week, visiting Allen University on Friday night and then Toccoa Falls College on Saturday afternoon.   They return to L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Tuesday, Oct. 12 for Dig Pink Night when they face Fort Valley State at 6 p.m.