VALDOSTA, Ga. – Paine College closed out play at the Valdosta State University Invitational on Saturday with a pair of matches at The Complex, falling in straight sets to host Valdosta State University and Lander University.
The Lady Lions opened the day against Valdosta State, dropping a 3-0 (10-25, 7-25, 2-25) decision before returning to the court in the afternoon and falling 3-0 (12-25, 5-25, 10-25) to Lander. Paine concluded the weekend at 0-5 on the season.
Jamaya Allen led Paine offensively against Valdosta State, finishing with five kills on 17 attempts and adding four digs and two block assists. Jienta Salley added three kills, while Roselyn Valverde recorded six assists and a team-high seven digs. Makayla Leonard contributed a solo block and service ace, while Skylar Williams added an ace.
Against Lander, Allen again paced the Lady Lions with three kills and four digs. Valverde finished with two kills, four digs and a service ace, while Chelsea Brooks directed the offense with seven assists and collected a team-high five digs. Akirah McCrae recorded two solo blocks.
Match One: Valdosta State 3, Paine 0
Set 1 – Valdosta State 25, Paine 10
Valdosta State established control in the opening frame, but the Lady Lions generated three kills on 33 attempts. The Blazers countered with 12 kills and hit .259 in the set.
Valdosta State used its offensive efficiency and serving pressure to create separation and secure the opening set, 25-10.
Set 2 – Valdosta State 25, Paine 7
Paine increased its offensive production in the second set, putting down a match-high five kills while reducing its attack errors from nine in the opening frame to six.
The Blazers, however, were even more efficient offensively. Valdosta State recorded 14 kills with just one error on 23 attempts for a .565 hitting percentage, allowing the hosts to take a 2-0 match advantage with the 25-7 victory.
Set 3 – Valdosta State 25, Paine 2
Valdosta State carried its momentum into the final frame, hitting .611 with 11 kills and no attack errors.
Paine was limited to two kills in the third as the Blazers completed the sweep with a 25-2 decision. Valdosta State finished the match hitting .456 with 37 kills.
Match Two: Lander 3, Paine 0
Set 1 – Lander 25, Paine 12
Paine returned to the court for its second match of the day and produced its highest set point total of the afternoon against Lander.
The Lady Lions recorded five kills in the opening frame, while Lander put down 12 kills and hit .360. The Bearcats created separation as the set progressed and took the opener, 25-12.
Set 2 – Lander 25, Paine 5
Lander turned in its most efficient offensive set of the match in the second frame, recording 14 kills against just one attack error on 21 attempts for a .619 hitting percentage.
Paine was held to three kills in the set as Lander secured the 25-5 victory and moved ahead 2-0 in the match.
Set 3 – Lander 25, Paine 10
The Lady Lions continued to battle in the third and were involved in three ties and two lead changes, the most competitive stretch of the match. Paine also committed only three attack errors in the frame, its fewest in any set against Lander.
Lander eventually pulled away behind 15 kills and a .367 hitting percentage, taking the final set 25-10 to complete the sweep.
By the Numbers
- 8 — Combined kills for Allen across Saturday's two matches, including a team-high five against Valdosta State and three against Lander.
- 12 — Assists for Valverde and Brooks combined against Valdosta State, with Valverde recording six and Brooks adding three.
- 7 — Digs by Valverde against Valdosta State, the highest total by a Lady Lion in either match Saturday.
- 5 — Digs for Brooks against Lander to lead Paine in the afternoon match.
- 2 — Solo blocks by McCrae against Lander.
- 2 — Service aces for Paine in each match. Leonard and Williams recorded the aces against Valdosta State, while Valverde and Leonard each had one against Lander.
- 25 — Team digs for Paine against Valdosta State, followed by 22 against Lander.
- 10 — Kills for the Lady Lions in each of Saturday's matches.
Up Next
Paine returns to Augusta for its second home match of the season when the Lady Lions welcome Piedmont University to the HEAL Complex on Tuesday, September 15. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
