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By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS – The Columbus State University women's volleyball team will begin a two-day trek through South Carolina this weekend for a pair of Peach Belt Conference matches.
 
The Lady Cougars will take on Lander on Friday at 7 p.m. before traveling to Aiken, S.C. to face off against USC Aiken on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Lady Cougars had no problem sweeping Fort Valley State 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-13) on Tuesday inside the Lumpkin Center. Kylie Beaubien had a match-high eight kills while hitting .615. Savannah Miller had seven kills and seven digs, while Melissa Murray added a season-high six kills.
 
Cornett on the Weekend
 
"This is an important weekend for us," said head coach Casey Cornett. "Both Lander and USC Aiken are ahead of us in the conference standings so it would be big to steal some wins on the road against talented teams. I know the girls can do it, but we have to be consistent throughout both matches."
 
Series Histories
 
Columbus State is 3-3 all-time against both Lander and USC Aiken. The Lady Cougars are 1-2 against each the Bearcats and the Pacers on the road.
 
About Lander

Lander is currently 11-4 and 3-4 inside the PBC. The Bearcats are struggling, however, dropping four out of their last five games. LU did break a four-match losing streak defeating UNC Pembroke on Tuesday.
 
Halle Dotson leads Lander in kills averaging 3.30 kills per set, which is the tied for the sixth-best mark in the league. Dotson also had 40 total blocks.
 
Kendall Korte is fifth in the PBC in digs per set (4.64) while Hannah McManus also averages 4.09 per set.
 
As a team, the Bearcats are one of the best blocking teams in the conference ranking third in total blocks 96.
 
About USC Aiken
 
The 2015 PBC regular season champions, the Pacers will begin the weekend with an 11-3 overall record and a 4-2 record inside the conference. USC Aiken holds a perfect 6-0 record at home so far this season.
 
Taylor Stratton is one of the best outside hitters in the PBC as the senior averages 3.72 kills per set. She ranks third in the league in kills and sixth in total points.
 
Emily Teelon ranks second in the conference in assists per set with an 11.03 mark. Teelon is also fifth in the PBC in hitting percentage (.328).
 
As a team, USC Aiken leads the conference in kills per set, digs per set and assists per set, while ranking second in hitting percentage.
 
CSU Notes
 
Columbus State won its last two road PBC matches against UNC Pembroke and Montevallo in late September.
 
Abby King still remains inside the top-five in the conference in assists per set averaging 9.51 a set. She is also second in the league with 31 service aces.
 
The Lady Cougars racked up 14 aces on Tuesday against Fort Valley State, the sixth time this season that CSU surpassed the double digit mark.
 
Megan Frame leads the Lady Cougar in hitting percentage with a .284 mark, just outside the top-10 on the PBC leaderboard.