AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team raced out to an early 2-1 lead against the visiting Indians of region foe Catawba, but were unable to hold their pace as the Indians took the final two sets to score the important region win 3-2 over the Pacers at the Student Activities Center Gym Friday night.

Catawba claimed the first set 25-15 taking advantage of USC Aiken's slow start. But the Pacers would not go quietly as they took the next two sets 25-19 and 25-17 before conceding the fourth set 25-21 sending the match into a fifth set where Catawba controlled the set and took the match 15-11.

With the close loss, USC Aiken finds themselves 7-8 for the 2010 campaign while Catawba improves to an even 6-6 for the season.

Three Pacers were able to record nine kills with two more just behind with eight. Senior Megan Disney (Knoxville, Tenn./Karns), sophomore Shannon Byers (Morristown, Minn./Faribault) and freshman Leah Rodgers (Longwood, Fla./Lake Mary) all knocked down nine kills in the marathon match with Lindsay Mortenson (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita) and Emily Maassen (Ellisville, Mo./Marquette) both chipped in eight kills while junior Jessica Loper (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing) added seven of her own.

Four Pacers netted a service ace as Mortenson added to her night and the trio of sophomores Ashley Farwell (Wake Forest, N.C./Wake Forest-Rolesville), Samantha Lukralle (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) and K.D. Almaraz (Ventura, Calif./Saint Bonaventure) all recorded one ace apiece.

The Indians' Shay Meeks started off slow in the first two sets before tallying a match-high 17 kills in the contest while Kaitlyn Whitmer recorded a double-double on the night with 13 kills and 10 digs. Jordan Raye also recorded a double-double for Catawba as she led all players with 46 assist to go with 10 digs.

USC Aiken will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 2 back in the Convocation Center for a 2 p.m. non-conference match against the Eagles of nationally-ranked NAIA power Embry-Riddle.