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Women's Volleyball October 24, 2014

Knights Clinch Share of Conference Title with Sweeps of RIT and Union

Lauren Hutchinson crushed 11 kills with no errors against Union on Friday night
Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Schenectady, NY – Nearly three weeks have passed since the last Liberty League match for the Clarkson University Volleyball team, but despite the layoff nothing changed in the matter of results in conference games for the Golden Knights as the Green and Gold swept its Friday night matches against RIT and Union.

The Golden Knights, ranked 16th overall in the latest AVCA Poll, clinched at least a tie for first place in the Liberty League, improving to 27-3 overall and 10-0 in conference matches. The Golden Knights will look to wrap up their third regular-season conference title in the last four years on Saturday when they take on Skidmore and St. Lawrence.

"I thought today was our most complete team effort of the season," head coach Johan Dulfer said. "RIT and Union have improved and both matches were good battles. I was impressed with how tenacious we were and with how much purpose we played every point. We were completely tuned into the goal of the night, to set ourselves up for a championship tomorrow. If we don't take any points for granted, we will be a dangerous team come playoff time."

The Golden Knights cruised past RIT in three sets (25-19, 25-16, 25-18), their 11th straight win over the Tigers and the sixth consecutive sweep. Senior Adrienne Walker (Centennial, CO), junior Aishvina Arasu (Brea, CA), and sophomore Katrina Lane (Seattle, WA) each recorded eight kills to lead the offense for the Knights, with Walker also producing four aces. Junior Victoria Kirkemo (Englewood, CO) also produced seven kills and added to her league-high ace total with three more flawless swings from the service line. Overall, the Knights served the Tigers off the court with 14 aces in just three sets while not getting burned on a serve once in the match.

Kirstie Shurie (LaCanada CA) added in 31 assists, Evanne Jimenez (Ventura, CA) had 14 digs, and Rachael Aird (East Syracuse, NY) produced four blocks.

Sarah Szybist had a match-high 11 kills, but also had six errors in 36 swings. Emma Dowdy tossed in 23 assists and 11 digs and Bethany Davis had a match-high 15 digs.

The only Liberty League team to take a set from Clarkson in the last two seasons, Union wasn't able to duplicate its effort from the last match up between the two teams when it forced the Knights to play four sets. With Shurie returned into her familiar setter position and Lauren Hutchinson (Spring, TX) back at rightside, the Knights were at full strength on offense and showed their potency against the Dutchwomen, winning in three straight (25-15, 25-13, 25-21). In the first set Union challenged the Knights and were within two points midway through the set (16-14), but an error and a pair of kills by Hutchinson forced a timeout. The break did little to slow the Clarkson momentum and the Knights ran off five straight kills to end the set, with two from Aird, two from Kirkemo and one more from Hutchinson. The second set was never in doubt, and Adrienne Walker ended the lopsided affair with a solo block. In the final set, Union gained an early lead, but Clarkson quickly recaptured the advantage and although a late run put the Dutchwomen within striking distance, a kill from Kirkemo ended the match.

Hutchinson, who had 34 assists in the first match against the Dutchwomen as the team's setter, led the Clarkson hitters on Friday night with 11 kills and no errors in 22 swings for a .500 hitting percentage. Adrienne Walker hit .429 (7-1-14) and both Victoria Kirkemo and Aishvina Arasu matched Hutchinson with 11 kills as Clarkson hit .352 as a team overall (47-10-105). Shurie produced an unreal 14 assists per set with 42 total in the match, and Evanne Jimenez led the team with 12 digs and three more aces. For Union, Kelley White had eight kills and 10 digs and Amanda Price came through with 16 assists, 11 digs, and three aces. 
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Players Mentioned

Evanne Jimenez

#3 Evanne Jimenez

L
5' 6"
Freshman
Lauren Hutchinson

#4 Lauren Hutchinson

OH/RS
5' 9"
Junior
Aishvina Arasu

#5 Aishvina Arasu

OH
5' 10"
Junior
Victoria Kirkemo

#6 Victoria Kirkemo

OH
5' 9"
Junior
Rachael Aird

#10 Rachael Aird

OH/MH/RS
6' 0"
Freshman
Adrienne Walker

#11 Adrienne Walker

MH
6' 0"
Senior
Katrina Lane

#14 Katrina Lane

RS
5' 10"
Sophomore
Kirstie Shurie

#17 Kirstie Shurie

S/L
5' 5"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Evanne Jimenez

#3 Evanne Jimenez

5' 6"
Freshman
L
Lauren Hutchinson

#4 Lauren Hutchinson

5' 9"
Junior
OH/RS
Aishvina Arasu

#5 Aishvina Arasu

5' 10"
Junior
OH
Victoria Kirkemo

#6 Victoria Kirkemo

5' 9"
Junior
OH
Rachael Aird

#10 Rachael Aird

6' 0"
Freshman
OH/MH/RS
Adrienne Walker

#11 Adrienne Walker

6' 0"
Senior
MH
Katrina Lane

#14 Katrina Lane

5' 10"
Sophomore
RS
Kirstie Shurie

#17 Kirstie Shurie

5' 5"
Junior
S/L