ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State volleyball returns home Tuesday for a crosstown showdown with Claflin University in the first of back-to-back matches between the Orangeburg programs.

First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, inside Dukes Gymnasium on the campus of South Carolina State. The match will serve as the Lady Bulldogs' 2026 home opener.

SC State returns to Orangeburg following a challenging three-match stretch at the ISTAP Invitational in Montgomery, Alabama. The Lady Bulldogs dropped matches to Alabama State, Nicholls and Miami (Ohio), but showed competitive stretches throughout the weekend. Against Alabama State, SC State captured the opening set 25-23 and battled through a 30-28 second set before falling in four sets. Amani Hawkins led the Lady Bulldogs with 10 kills, while Ki'ra Wright contributed nine kills and 11 digs.

The Lady Bulldogs will look to regain the momentum they showed in their Sept. 10 road victory over Tuskegee, when SC State earned a 3-1 win.

Tuesday's matchup adds another chapter to the Battle of the Burg, bringing together two programs separated by only a few miles in Orangeburg. The rivalry has also extended beyond the court this season, with SC State and Claflin joining forces for the Battle of the Burg Baby Essentials Drive to benefit families in the Orangeburg community.

Claflin enters the matchup after tournament competition at the Christian Brothers Invitational. The Lady Panthers have been led by a veteran group that includes preseason All-CIAA selections Aryanna Connell and Grayson Graham.

The two teams will have a quick turnaround following Tuesday's contest. SC State will travel across town Wednesday, Sept. 16, for the second meeting of the home-and-home series. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Tullis Arena on the Claflin campus.

Following the Claflin series, SC State will remain at home to host Bethune-Cookman in a pair of nonconference matches Friday and Saturday at Dukes Gymnasium.

MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: Claflin University
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 15
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Dukes Gymnasium | Orangeburg, S.C.
Matchup: Battle of the Burg
Next Match: SC State at Claflin | Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 6 p.m. | Tullis Arena