ANDERSON, S.C. - Catawba middle blocker Emily Richardson's match-high .316 hitting percentage helped lead Catawba to a 3-0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-17) South Atlantic Conference volleyball win past the Trojans Saturday afternoon at the Abney Athletic Center.

The two teams wrapped up the first half of their South Atlantic schedule with the Trojans slipping to 5-14 overall and 3-6 in the league, while Catawba (12-5, 6-3 SAC) snapped a two-match losing streak and has won three of its last five outings.

The opening set featured 13 ties and nine lead changes, with the Indians taking a lead they would not relinquish with a 6-0 run midway through the frame, garnering a 20-15 lead. The Trojans climbed back within three, at 23-20 but were unable to get any closer.

The second set saw nine tie scores before Catawba snapped a 13-13 tie with five unanswered points. But the Trojans refused to surrender and chipped away, tying the score once again at 21 apiece. AU claimed a brief 23-22 advantage on a kill from sophomore Joy Hiller, but the Indians answered by scoring four of the final six points.

Anderson scored four unanswered points to open the third set, forcing the visitors to call a timeout to slow the outburst. The Trojans pushed out to a five-point lead twice but Catawba rallied to tie the score at 12-12 and again snapped a 13-13 tie with another run, this time posting four consecutive points to take the lead. AU battled back to within 18-16, but the Indians responded with a 7-1 run to claim the set.

Junior Tiffany Rowe led the Trojans with nine kills, while middle blocker Hailey Pittman saw her first significant playing time after suffering an injury and added six kills. Freshmen Shannon Gillespie and Kelley Lacey each posted five kills on the afternoon. Fellow freshman Meghan Cautero handed out a team-high 24 assists, with Lacey and Kalie Endres each recording 14 digs.

Catawba junior Kaitlyn Whitmer led all players with 10 kills, while junior Jordan Raye posted 37 assists and Jenny Young recorded a match-best 36 digs.

Anderson opens the second half of its conference slate by visiting Newberry on Tuesday before returning to the Abney Center for a three-match homestand Saturday. The Trojans rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Newberry in the season-opener for both teams earlier this season. First-serve versus the Wolves is scheduled for 7 p.m.