Knights Remain Unbeaten in Conference Play with Sweep of RIT

Senior setter Lani Durio had her third 30-assist match of the weekend against RIT on Saturday - photo by Gary Mikel

Canton, NY - With a three-set sweep of RIT, the Clarkson University Volleyball team not only remained unbeaten in conference play, but no opponent has yet to take a set off the Golden Knights, who cruised to a 25-12, 25-19, 25-11 victory over the Tigers Saturday afternoon at St. Lawrence's Burkman Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights improved to 12-4 overall with their fourth straight victory, and 4-0 in the Liberty League, while the Tigers dropped to 8-11 overall and 1-2 in league contests.

Despite being without one of their top offensive weapons in Victoria Kirkemo, the Golden Knights put forth another dominating offensive effort, hitting .333 in the match. Five different players had six kills or more, led by Aishvina Arasu (Brea, CA), who had 14 kills, including five in a short run in the decisive set. Though the scores were lopsided in the first and final set, the Knights trailed 9-4 in the early going of the second set before a timeout was called by Clarkson. From that point, the Knighs rattled off seven straight scores, including a block and a pair of kills from Xiao Liang (Tianjin, China). Though the set would eventually go the Knights way, Clarkson would have to snuff out a rally by the Tigers late that would bring them to within two (19-17). An Adrienne Walker (Centennial, CO) kill would close out the set.

Arasu had 14 kills and six errors in 28 swings, but the Knights would also get eight kills against just one error in 14 swings from Lauren Hutchinson (Spring, TX). Liang added in seven kills, while Danielle Farabee (Katy, TX) and Walker each contributed six kills.

Clarkson was also dominant from the service line with 10 aces, led by Liang's four. Kirstie Shurie (LaCanada, CA) and Erika Chin (Katy, TX) also produced two aces. Chin led the squad with 15 digs, and senior setter Lani Durio (Austin, TX) averaged nearly 12 assists per set with a total of 35. Liang and Farabee also had three block assissts each.

"We didn't need our best game today, but we walked away with an important victory and a great lesson learned," head coach Johan Dulfer remarked. "We play our best with a sense of urgency. We have some learning to do to manage that mindset. Overall, we couldn't have asked for a better start to league play. We will be healthy and hungry next week."

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