COLUMBIA, S.C. – With a healthy lineup and some regained enthusiasm, the Benedict College volleyball team defeated rival Claflin 3-1 on Wednesday at Eau Claire High School.

“This was much, much better. We executed all the way around. We played with heart and enthusiasm,” said Benedict coach Gwendolyn Rouse after Benedict's 26-24, 25-17, 24-26, 25-20 victory.

Benedict improved to 9-5 overall and 7-3 in the SIAC. More importantly, the Lady Tigers rebounded after losing four of their last five matches, including a loss to junior college Spartanburg Methodist, which doesn't officially count against their record.

The return of middle blocker Asia Bailey and hitter Tatyana Robinson bolstered their net defense, and moving Ashley Jackson back to her normal setter position helped smooth the offense. LaTayvia Mack had 22 kills and four aces, while Lorena Leao had 14 kills and 12 digs. Jackson had a season-high 42 assists and 10 digs, while Kelsey Green also had 10 digs. And Robinson had three blocks.

“Overall, our defense was a whole lot better,” Rouse said. “I really appreciate them working hard for this game. I told them if we play like we did at Albany (in a loss on Sunday), we could win the rest of the games.”

The first set was neck-and-neck the whole way. When Claflin pulled ahead 19-16, a kill and an ace by Mack, and a kill by Terae Sweeting tied the score. Benedict edged ahead 23-20, but Claflin tied the score at 23 and 24. But a kill by Mack made it 25-24, and she sealed the first set with an ace.

The Lady Tigers broke away from a 6-6 tie to take a commanding 16-7 lead in the second set. A kill by Leao made it 24-13 before the Lady Panthers fought back with four straight points before a kill by Courtney Bobo-McKenzie closed out the second set.

Benedict had a 22-16 lead in the third set and appeared ready for a sweep before Claflin stormed back, and then fought off match point twice to tie the set at 24. A Benedict error and a kill gave the Lady Panthers the 26-24 win in the third set.

The Lady Tigers pulled away from a close 9-8 score in the fourth set to take an 18-12 lead. Benedict made it 24-17 after back-to-back kills by Mack, but Claflin scored the next three points, getting two points from Benedict errors, to close the gap to 24-20. A Claflin serving error gave Benedict the match final point.

Claflin drops to 10-5 overall and 7-3 in the SIAC.

Benedict plays at Fort Valley State on Friday, and then at Clark Atlanta on Saturday. The Lady Tigers are back home on Tuesday against Paine.