Kia Thomas has 17 kills as the Clark Atlanta University volleyball team defeated Allen University 3-1 in Columbia, S.C. Friday.

It was the third win in the last four matches for the Lady Panthers (7-6, 6-4 SIAC).  CAU has won three straight conference matches. 

Allen (3-8) has dropped their last two matches.

Friday, the Lady Panthers pounded on the Yellow Jackets early, sprinting out to a 19-5 lead in the first set.  Allen scored four of the next five points in the set, but CAU was firmly in control, twice leading by 14 points, including the final score of the set, 25-11.

In the second set, Clark Atlanta was up 8-7 early.  But the Yellow Jackets scored six straight points to take a 13-8 lead.   The Lady Panther twice pulled to within three points in the set, the final time on a Miara Bolden kill which made it 21-18.  But Allen scored four of the next five points to win the set 25-18.

Allen led 8-5 early in the third set, but the Lady Panthers went on their own run to take a 12-8 lead.  It was a lead the Lady Panthers never relinquished in the set as they won it 25-16.

The final set saw the Lady Panthers jump out to an 7-1 lead that they quickly turned into a 16-5 lead.  They dominated the final set, winning 24-9 and winning the match.

Thomas finished with 17 kills, nine digs, four blocks and two service aces.   Bolden and Dickerson both finished with seven kills, with Dickerson adding four digs.  Amirah Bentley had 32 assists, three aces and three digs, while Lauryn Terry had six kills and two digs and Nina Freeman finished with 14 digs and three assists.

Allen was paced by Nescotia Harrison who had ten digs, two blocks and an ace.

The Lady Panthers will be right back on the court Saturday when they visit Toccoa Falls College at 2 p.m.  That match can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMRk6BxcTmnKEbbX3fIVLOQ. 

CAU returns home on Tuesday, Oct. 12 when they host Fort Valley State University at 6 p.m. at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.