AUGUSTA, Ga. (Women's Volleyball) – Paine returned to Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play on Friday night as they faced Claflin University. The Lady Lions were defeated by the Lady Panthers in three sets. The set scores were 25-12, 25-23 and 25-20.

With the loss, Paine drops to 10-10, overall, and 5-7 in the SIAC standings. Claflin advances to 10-9, overall, and 9-2 in league play.

The Lady Panthers were led by Bria Bronston with 12 kills and Kiara Johnson with 10. The leading setter for the team was Sonia Rosales with 33 assists. Defensively, Jhi Piper-Murles had 10 digs and Alycia Perez-Johnson had six. Piper-Murles also had three service aces while Brianna Garvin accounted for the lone solo block of the night.

Collectively, Claflin finished the match with 44 kills, 37 assists, 24 digs, seven service aces and five team blocks.

Caprice Lockett was the offensive leader for Paine with six kills. She was followed by Deja Sims-Dean with four. Kayla Lewis kept the table set for the Lady Lions with nine assists. Paine's defense was led by Jahkya Smith with eight digs and Lewis with six. Smith also accounted for three service aces. Malachia Kendrick had a solo block and two block assists.

As a team, Paine ended the night with 21 kills, 24 digs, 18 assists, three service aces and three team blocks.  

The Lady Lions will be in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the HEAL Complex as they face NAIA opponent, Morris College.