AIKEN, S.C. - A dramatic five-set win past USC Aiken lifted the Anderson volleyball team to a split on the opening day of the USC Aiken Volleyball Invitational Friday at the Convocation Center.

The Trojans opened the two-day event with a narrow 3-2 setback to Lander early in the afternoon, then rebounded for the five-set 19-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 15-13 win over the host Pacers.

Anderson (6-1, 1-0 SAC), bidding to become the first Trojan team to start the season by winning its first six contests out of the gate since the 2005 squad, had its five-game season-opening win streak snapped with the 17-25, 25-14, 18-25, 25-22, 8-15 setback to the Bearcats.

The Trojans, in the midst of a five match road swing, dropped the opening set, but bounced back to equal the contest by claiming a decisive win in the second frame. Lander won the third, while AU took the fourth set and the Bearcats held off Anderson in the fifth and deciding set to improve to 4-2 on the season.

For AU, senior Jamie Lancaster led with a game-high 27 kills, while Adria Mullaney posted a game-best 33 digs from the backrow, with Lindsay Doggett recording 46 assists. Sophomore Tiffany Rowe and newcomer Tori Calhoon each notched four blocks.

Melissa McCracken led Lander with 22 kills, while Lindsey Everhart added 12 and three block assists, and Mallory Wasik 10 kills and three service aces. Setter Candace LaRocca added 51 assists, nine digs and four service aces, while Magi Nottingham had seven kills and 18 digs and Madison Kubal 29 digs.

AU faced host USC Aiken in the nightcap, with the Trojans collecting their first win in three outings versus USCA.
USC Aiken (2-4) earned a 25-19 victory in the first set, before the Trojans rallied for a 25-21 second set win. The Pacers gained a 25-18 victory in the third set, but AU again came back to claim 25-21 and 15-13 victories in the fourth and fifth sets.
Lancaster recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 16 digs while Calhoon chipped in 12 kills of her own and Doggett handed out a match-best 37 assists. Freshman Chelsea Olson recorded three blocks on the night with Mullaney adding 21 digs.

Anderson wraps up action in the Invitation al with two contests on Saturday, squaring off against Valdosta State at 10 a.m. and Concord University (Athens, W.V.) at noon.