Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken forced a fifth set after trailing 2-1, but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to Columbus State. Set scores were 25-16, 20-25, 23-25, 25-17, 11-15.

The Pacers now stand at 10-5 overall and 3-2 against conference competition.

USC Aiken got off to a fast start, taking the first set in fine fashion. The balanced offensive attack totaled 12 kills in the first frame while Sheila Walsh contributed seven of the team's 11 assists.

The teams traded points until it was tied at nine. Then, the Cougars netted three straight to gain a 12-9 advantage. An error gave the ball back to the home squad. Aly Johnson dropped back to serve and the team scored three straight points, gaining a 13-12 lead.

The programs traded points until the visitors took a 15-14 lead. Taylor Stratton's kill knotted the score and sparked a 10-0 run. With Shawn Hotson back to serve, the Pacers took over the frame. Ashley Diedrich and Leah Rodgers both registered kills, forcing a time-out. After making it 19-15, Rodgers and Endea Ellison combined for a block. Rodgers then powered home back-to-back balls. Diedrich's powerful attack pushed the score to 23-15. Two errors by the Cougars allowed the Pacers to take the first set 25-16.

After dropping the second set, USC Aiken had a chance to take command of the match in the third stanza. Trailing 15-8, head coach Glen Cox's team went on a 10-2 run thanks in part to two aces by Walsh. The Pacers held a 21-18 lead, but the visitors reeled off seven of the last nine points to take the set.

USC Aiken evened it at two sets apiece by racing out to a 16-6 lead in the fourth frame. The squad never looked back en route to the dominating 25-17 performance.

The home squad jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set off a block by Johnson, an ace by Amanda Bologna and a kill by Hannah Tierney. However, an error gave the ball back to CSU and the Cougars capitalized with eight straight points. The Pacers pulled within two on a kill by Hotson, making it 13-11. However, it was as close as the team could get.

USC Aiken was paced by Stratton's match-high 13 kills. Tierney recorded 10 kills. Ellison and Rodgers totaled nine and eight, respectively. Walsh distributed a match-best 22 assists while Bologna added 20 and 10 digs for a double-double. Walsh also had three aces.

Defensively, Danielle Mercer garnered 27 digs while Hotson added 11. Ellison amassed six blocks, including one of the solo variety. 

The Pacers return to action tomorrow at 2 p.m. when they play host to Montevallo.