Clark Atlanta volleyball picked up three big wins this weekend at the 2022 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Crossover.
The Lady Panthers played five matches over two days against SIAC West teams in the LakePoint Sports Center in Cartersville, Georgia. With every team in the conference facing off in cross-divisional matches over the two-day tournament, the wins and loss shifted the conference standings.
Clark Atlanta moved into fifth place in the SIAC East Division following their wins. They are 6-12 overall this season and 3-5 in conference. They trail Allen (9-6, 4-4 SIAC)— and Benedict (7-6, 4-5 SIAC), who they lost to in opening weekend.
On Friday, Clark Atlanta played two matches against LeMoyne Owen and Lane College. Set 1 against LeMonyne Owen was a nail biter with a 30-28 final score in favor of Clark Atlanta. The Panthers got off balance and dropped set 2 with an 18-25 finish. The final two sets had multiple lead score changes with only 2-3 point victory spread for the Panthers.
In game two on Friday, Clark Atlanta squeezed past Lane to open with a 25-18 set win. They took set two 25-19 but fell in set three 24-26. In the final set, the Lady Panthers regained their rhythm, 25-18, to win 3-1.
Sanaa Simmons reached a season high of 38 assists while
Shynique McGee hit a season high with 18 kills and 2 aces with a 20 point contribution to the Panther win.
Clark Atlanta opened Saturday's three game lineup against the three-time reigning SIAC Conference champions, Spring Hill College. The Lady Panthers were swept 0-3 unable to create an offensive front against the Lady Badgers.
The Lady Panthers faced Tuskegee in the second game on Saturday and were able to get their wind back after the Spring Hill defeat. Freshman setter,
Sanaa Simmons led the Lady Panthers to a 3-0 victory with a contribution of 29 assists, 20 digs, 2 blocks and 2 aces.
In the final game of the tournament, Clark Atlanta played Miles College. They lost against Miles for the first time since 2014 in a 0-3 sweep. The first two sets, 25-19 and 25-21. In the third set, they got down early and struggled to rebound, falling 22-25.
Shynique McGee led the Panthers achieving a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs.
Over the five games, Clark Atlanta racked up some impressive stats. Newcomer
Sanaa Simmons led the setters with a combined 109 assists over five games and 40 digs.
McGee, currently ranked No. 5 in the SIAC in hitting percentage, led the offensive effort with 66 kills over five games, as well as 40 digs and five service aces. Libero
Ti'Ana Crider had a season high Friday evening against Lane with 19 digs and made a new season high with 21 digs against LeMoyne Owen.
The Lady Panthers are back on the road this weekend as they head to Kentucky State for a same day contest against Kentucky State and Central State on Saturday.
