Clarion junior and middle-hitter, #19 Sarah Sheffield spikes the ball over the net. (Angela Kelly / The Clarion Call)

As Clarion celebrated the Autumn Leaf Festival, the Golden Eagles volleyball team was making digs in the gym.

The Lady Eagles competed in two matches this past week, playing California University of Pennsylvania Friday night and Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday night.

Friday night’s match was a battle for first place in the PSAC-West, however Clarion fell with a score of 3-0.

When asked if it was hard to stay focused during the games because of the festival, Kaitlyn Anderson said, “It was a bit challenging to stay…when I was outside the gym, but once I stepped on the court all my focus was on playing volleyball.”

Setter, #12 Amanda Gough blocks a California hit, alongside hitter Nicole Andrusz. (Angela Kelly / The Clarion Call)

Coach Jennifer Harrison said, “I don’t think that we had too much trouble focusing. I think we definitely came out nervous vs. Cal. As we started to settle down, Cal had already jumped out to a pretty large lead.”

Friday night the ladies couldn’t find enough power to beat California. They ended up losing their first conference match of the year.

Kellie Bartman had seven kills and 10 digs, while Kaitlyn Anderson had six kills and Amanda Gough added on five more kills.

Anderson said, “It was a very tough loss. We expected to do a lot better than we did. Their offense was very fast and although we had times that we kept up with it, we had many times that we didn’t.”
Coach Harrison added, “I also think we needed to play with a little more confidence.”
“We have done some great things this year and it’s important to carry that with you no matter who the opponent on the other side of the court is,” Harrison said.

Saturday the ladies brought back the winning power and defeated Indiana with a final score of 3-1.

They defeated IUP in the first two games, losing the third.

Bartman said all that was going through her mind after the third game was “We need to respect this team and play them like we did the first game.”

When asked if there was anything she told the team to get them back into the game to finish out the last set, Coach Harrison said “We needed to respect our opponent and that two games doesn’t make a match.”

She also said, “As far as inspiration to come back from a loss and on Friday and a lackluster performance in front of an unbelievable crowd, I just indicated that we needed to put it past us and if we take that performance into the next match we will struggle,” Harrison said.

Coach Harrison also gave credit to IUP for, “fighting hard to get back into the match.”

The Eagles took the fourth match and won the game. Bartman had 22 kills, five digs, and three blocks in this game.

Amanda Gough helped the ladies with 50 set assists, four kills, 10 digs, and two blocks.

Coach Harrison said, “I was happy with our performance.
I think the team really wanted to come out and prove that we were better than our previous night’s performance had indicated.”

The lady Eagles will travel to West Chester Friday to play in a pair of PSAC matches.

The games will kick off at noon when they take on West Chester.

At 5 p.m. they will go up against Cheyney, hoping to make both games a win.