GREENWOOD, S.C. --- The Tusculum women's volleyball team dropped its 2024 season opener to Lander, the host of the three-day Redderson Invitational. The Bearcats were also a part of last year's NCAA II Southeast Regional, alongside the Pioneers.
Tusculum (0-1) fell to the Bearcats (1-0) in straight-sets by scores of 25-17, 25-21, 25-19.
Lander was led by double-digit kill outings by both Katie Miller and Blondie Penaflor with 13 and 10, respectively. Lauren Dow dished out 30 assists as part of her double-double, while Sophia Schneider tallied four service aces. Four Bearcats reached double figures in digs: Andrea Crawford (18), Miller (15), Dow (13), and Schneider (11). Karson Browning had a stellar night at the net as she was credited with five total blocks (two solo, three assists).
Tusculum used a variety of lineups in the season's first match with 12 Pioneers seeing action. TU was led by six kills apiece from Martina Foster, Whitney Thompson, and McKayla Willey. Madison Adkins recorded 21 assists as she, Taylor Sanders, and Foster notched the aces. Amiranee Au got the nod as the team's libero, upping her career-high to 20 digs with Adkins rounding out her double-double with 13 scoops. Thompson was credited with four block assists, while Olivia Crowl and Foster racked up three blocks each.
Lander hit .156 as a team with 39 kills and 18 errors on 135 total attempts. Tusculum hit .024 with 25 kills, 22 errors, and 126 total attacks. The Bearcats led the Pioneers in assists (35-23), service aces (10-3), digs (69-64), and total blocks (8-6).
Tusculum has a two-match day on Friday (Sept. 6) at the Redderson Invitational. The Pioneers will take on Florida Tech at 12:30 p.m. and Clark Atlanta at 5:30 p.m.