Sports

Clarion Volleyball Continues Hot Streak in Conference

The Golden Eagle volleyball team rolled over PSAC West leading Gannon University on Friday, Oct. 21, sweeping the Golden Knights in doing so.

The Eagles were led by their upperclassmen in what was an all-around solid performance.

In the first set, Clarion rallied from a late 21-19 deficit with four straight points and held off a late Gannon surge, winning the set 25-23.

The second set was headlined by three lead changes in a back-and-forth battle. Each team came up with rallies of its own to eventually tie the score at 13.

The Eagles were able to overcome an error of its own to tie the game at 20.

The Eagles were then able to outscore the Knights 5-3 and take the set by a score of 25-23.

In the fourth set, with the score tied at 19, the Eagles used a 5-0 run to close out the match and hand the Knights their second loss in PSAC play.

Senior, Kellie Bartman led the Eagles statistically with 13 kills, 11 digs, and three blocks.

Fellow seniors Amanda Gough and Kaitlyn Anderson also had stellar performances.

Gough recorded 34 assists, seven digs, six kills and two blocks. Anderson finished with 10 kills, three digs, two aces and one block. Gough earned player of the
week honors with her efforts.

“It felt like I could lead my team,” Gough said.

“Everyone on the court contributed to the win, and it was just a great team effort.”

On Saturday, Oct. 22, the Eagles celebrated Senior Day with yet another sweep, this time against Mercyhurst University.

Once again, the seniors took center stage in the match.

Anderson and Bartman led the Eagles in kills with 13 and 10 respectively.

Gough also had a major contribution, tallying 33 assists and edging closer to becoming the second player in Clarion history to record 4,000 career assists.

Rebecca Webb led the Clarion defense recording three of the nine blocks recorded by the Eagles.

The Eagles also recorded 65 digs compared to Mercyhurst’s 53.

On Tuesday night, Oct. 25, Clarion completed its third sweep in a row against Slippery Rock University.

The Eagles came out of the first set, battling to a 25-20 win.

In game two, the Eagles raced to a 22-8 lead and held off a Slippery Rock surge to take the set 25-18.

In the third set, Clarion once again came out of a close match, taking the last set 25-18.

The Eagles were led by Anderson, Gough, and Bartman. Both Anderson and Bartman finished with 12 kills apiece.

Gough finished with 35 assists bringing her within 23 assists of 4,000 with three games to play.

The Golden Eagles were led defensivly by Senior Rhianon Brady, who finished the match with 19 digs, which brings her 22 shy of the school record. Bartman also
finished with 16 digs, and Gough finished with 15 digs and one block.

The Eagles now have three games away from Tippin Gymnasium where they have a record of 100-19 since 2001.

The Eagles travel to Edinboro Oct. 28, to play in a game that could decide the PSAC No. 3 seed.

“We just have to win and make sure we control our own fate,” Coach Jennifer Mills said. “Right now we are taking one game at a time and focused on Edinboro.”