AIKEN, S.C. – The Paine College volleyball team wrapped up the first three matches of the season at the USC Aiken Invitational Saturday.

The tournament was hosted by USC Aiken.

In the opener against Catawba, Daija Braodnax registered three kills while Akirah McCrae and Kennedy Williams accounted for two kills apiece. Kelsey Williams dished out a team-best four assists in the contest.

Kennedy Williams tallied a team-best two blocks while Makayla Evans and McCrae each served up an ace in the match.

Defensively, Jordan Fortson led the team with eight digs. Kennedy Williams had two block assists.

Set scores in the match were 25-14, 25-9, 25-12.

In Friday's nightcap against Barton, head coach Kisha Lucette's team pushed the Bulldogs to the brink in the last two frames of the 3-0 loss. Set scores were 25-8, 25-18, 25-20.

Broadnax guided the team with seven kills while hitting an outstanding .545. Najla Betts and McCrae added four kills and three kills, respectively.

Kelsey Williams distributed 12 assists and Mya Beasley chipped in four assists. Beasley, along with Demi Mckeever each had an ace.

Defensively, McCrae and Kennedy Williams each had solo blocks. Broadnax, Shacari Hardi, McCrae and Kennedy Williams totaled two block assists each. Fortson led the team with six digs while Evans contributed five.

Trailing 18-14 in the second set, Kennedy Williams slammed home a kill. A miscue by Barton pulled the team within two at 18-16.

Down 19-15 in the third frame, a bad set by the Bulldogs made it a three-point contest. Another mistake by the designated visitors made it 19-17. Moments later, Kelsey Williams found Broadnax for a kill to make it 22-19. Betts' kill pulled the Lady Lions within three at 23-20, but Barton managed to record the final two points.

In Saturday's match against Converse, Betts and McCrae shared team-high honors with five kills apiece. Kelsey Williams recorded 10 assists while Evans and Fortson had an ace apiece.

Fortson turned in a solid performance, posting 13 digs. Evans and Mckeever had six digs apiece. At the net, Broadnax and Hardy combined for a block.

Set scores were 25-11, 25-15, 25-16.  

Paine (0-3) returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 6 when they host Southern Wesleyan at 6 p.m.