AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team lost a hard-fought 3-1 contest to Lander Friday evening.

The Pacers are now 14-7 overall, including 2-6 in league play.

Head coach Glenn Cox's team was led by Sadie McKay's 14-kill, eight-dig performance. Emily Lammers notched 12 kills to go along with six digs while Gyöngyvér Araczki accounted for 11 kills, six digs and a block.

Mallory Barash posted a double-double with 37 assists and 13 digs.

Defensively, Kari Mercer led everyone with 27 digs, three assists and a pair of aces.

Trailing 17-10 in the first set, Lammers slammed home a kill. After an error by the visitors, Kaitlyn Rodriguez garnered a kill. Down 19-13, Araczki had a kill and a block to pull within four. Trailing 23-19, McKay tallied a kill and another error by LU made it 23-21 but the team could not get any closer in the 25-22 loss.

The Pacers started the second set in fine style. Lammers opened the frame with a kill. Four consecutive errors by the Bearcats and an ace from McKay pushed the margin to 6-0. Up 11-7, Araczki and McKay registered kills. With the score at 18-16, McKay added a kill. USC Aiken maintained a 22-20 edge before Lammers hammered home a kill. Mercer served up an ace. Two plays later, Lammers ended the stanza with a kill.

Down 5-1 in the fourth set, Brooke Wroten totaled a kill. Lammers and Araczki had kills before Mercer had another ace. After two errors by the Bearcats, Araczki gave the home team an 8-5 lead with a kill. The visitors took a 16-13 lead but Lammers added a point. Cox's team was within one at 17-16 but Lander scored five consecutive points. The team continued to battle. Down 24-17, Araczki recorded a kill. McKay accounted for back-to-back points but Lander ended the match on the ensuing play.   

The Pacers return to action Tuesday when they host Flagler at 6 p.m. Prior to the match, USC Aiken Athletics will take part in Trunk or Treat in front of the Convocation Center. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.