BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Benedict College volleyball finished in third place at the 2016 SIAC Volleyball Championship, falling to Claflin University 3-1 in the tournament semifinals on Thursday night in the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Claflin won the match 25-23, 25-13, 23-25, 25-23. Claflin advances to the championship match against Kentucky State at 3 p.m. on Friday. Benedict wraps up the 2016 season with an 18-15 record.

Aaliyah Lawson led the Lady Tigers with 13 kills, while Taylor Stephens added 10 kills. V'Aira Harris had a team-high 13 digs, while Majda Cisic added 12 digs. Brianne McMillian had 28 assists.

Benedict had a 21-20 lead in the first set, but Claflin pulled ahead with three straight points. A block by Stephens cut the lead to 24-23, but a Benedict attack error gave Claflin the set point.

In the third set, Benedict had a 14-9 lead before Claflin rallied back to take an 18-17 lead. With the set tied at 23, Benedict picked up the win with a kill by Stephens and a Claflin attack error.

Benedict had a 22-18 lead in the fourth set and was three points away from tying the match at two sets each, but the Lady Panthers scored four straight points to tie the set. A kill by Stephens gave the Lady Tigers a 23-22 lead, but Claflin closed out the match with three straight points.