RALEIGH, N.C. - The Saint Augustine's College volleyball team staved off pesky Livingstone College to maintain their hold on first place in the CIAA's Southern Division Tuesday.

The Lady Falcons (13-6 overall, 10-2 CIAA, 5-0 Southern Division) stayed unbeaten in the division with a 3-1 (25-18, 25-13, 26-28, 25-21) victory at Emery Gymnasium. It appeared the Lady Falcons would make short work of the Lady Blue Bears (9-9, 5-6 CIAA, 1-3 Southern Division) after winning the first two games. The Lady Blue Bears fought back to win the third game by two points, and they pushed the Lady Falcons in the fourth game. The score was tied 17-17 before the Lady Falcons prevailed down the stretch.

A kill by Brittany Hicks (Soph./Louisburg, N.C.) gave the Lady Falcons a 24-21 lead. The Lady Falcons won on an attack error by the Lady Blue Bears.

Kathryn Tokarski (Jr./Saskatchewan, Canada) totaled 14 kills and Hicks added 10 kills while Stephony Newkirk (Sr./Greenville, N.C.) had nine kills for the Lady Falcons. Roxanne Smith (Jr./St. Catherine, Jamaica) handed out 33 assists, Nicolette Campbell (Jr./Nassau, Bahamas) finished with 12 digs and Tokarski added nine digs. Shakira Carter (Sr./St. Michael, Barbados) added one solo block and three assisted blocks.

Michelle Thompson and Lashaundra Ferguson were the top offensive players for the Lady Blue Bears with 12 kills apiece. Shannon Allen dished out 30 assists while Lakitta Hicks and Ferguson each had three assisted blocks.

The Lady Falcons step out the conference Friday when they visit Morris College in Sumter, S.C. Match time is 6 p.m.