The Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers open play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships today at 10 a.m. when they face Central State.

Clark Atlanta (11-9, 8-7 SIAC) goes into the tournament as the third-seeded team from the SIAC East Division and faces a Central State that was 20-11, 14-3 in conference play and seeded second out of the West Division.

CSU is led by All-SIAC performers Ajanae' Cressey, Jazmyne Walker and Hailey White. Their coach, Ray Lewis, was named the SIAC's Coach of the Year.

The Lady Panthers counter with the SIAC's Setter of the Year, senior Amirah Bentley, along with fellow first team All-Conference pick, middle blocker Kia Thomas.

CSU finished their season losing three of their last five matches but won their last four SIAC games.  CAU played only once this season, losing a close, four-set battle 3-1 on September 25 during the SIAC Crossover. CAU won their final three games of the regular season and took four of their last five matches.

CAU has lost to Central State the last two times the teams have played, but before then, won four straight matches with the Marauders, dating back to 2015.

The winner of their match gets a break the rest of the day, not having to play until 10 a.m. Tuesday morning against the winner of today's Albany State-Lane match. The loser would have to play again at 4 p.m. today against the loser of the Albany State-Lane match.