Clarkson Scores Two Sweeps to Extend Win Streak to Six

Oswego, NY – With two consecutive sweeps on Saturday, the Clarkson University Volleyball team continued its winning ways, downing Alfred University 3-0 (25-16, 25-10, 25-11) and then beating Utica University 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-18) at the Oswego Tournament.

The Green and Gold improved to 9-2 on the season, extending their winning streak to six consecutive matches. Clarkson begins Liberty League play next weekend at home, facing Skidmore College, and then returns to non-league action later in the day with a match against crosstown foe SUNY Potsdam.

The Golden Knights trailed for only a single point in the first match of the day against Alfred, hitting .265 overall in the match and holding the Saxons to a negative hitting percentage through three sets. Clarkson opened the first game with a 7-1 lead, saw the advantage shrink to as few as two (14-12), but immediately responded with a 7-0 run to reclaim its significant advantage. The second set was where Alfred had its only lead (1-0) as the Knights came back with five straight points. Clarkson often used lengthy runs in the match, including a 6-1 stretch at the midway points and then a 6-0 flurry to close out the second set. The third game was never in doubt with the Knights scoring nine of the first 10 points. It was even for the next 20 or so points, but again Clarkson ended with a 6-0 run, cruising to the easy win.

Chase Chudoba was again a tough assignment for the opposition, hitting .381 (12-4-21) with five block assists to lead the Knights. Ainslie Reimer tossed in eight kills and three block assists. Brianna Hale had 23 assists and Olivia Baxter posted 18 digs. Clarkson's service game was on point in the opener, as the team recorded 14 aces, led by four from Emma Cortez and getting three more from Izzie Piano.

The second match of the day was more competitive, though Clarkson still had enough to come away with the sweep. The first set saw the teams tied 13-13, but the Knights rattled off six straight points for a comfortable cushion the rest of the way. Neither team was particularly sharp on offense in set two as Clarkson was just one kill positive in the set (7-6-33), but utilized a number of miscues by Utica (12 attack errors) to claim the win. Clarkson trailed by one (9-8) early but went on a 6-0 run thanks to two aces from Cecilia Velardi. The Pioneers responded with a 7-1 run, only to be done in by their own mistakes, as Clarkson scored the next six, five of which were unforced attack errors by Utica. The third game was once again a tight affair at the midway point (14-13), but Clarkson notched five straight points to build its advantage to six (19-13), enough to stave off any comeback attempt.

Conley Burns scored 10 kills in the second match of the day to lead the Knights' offense. Ainslie Reimer also chipped in nine kills, while Chase Chudoba had five kills, three blocks, and four aces. Olivia Baxter recorded 19 digs while both Emma Cortez and Izzie Piano added 10 digs, with Piano also adding in four aces.

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