Nov. 9, 2007

SHIPPENSBURG - Thanks to a 3-1 win over host Shippensburg, the top seed from the PSAC-East, Friday night the Clarion University women's volleyball team has advanced to the PSAC Title game for the first time since 1989.

The Golden Eagles (27-4) avenged an early-season loss to Shippensburg by knocking off the Raiders 30-25, 25-30, 30-25, 30-21. Clarion will play PSAC-West rival California, a 3-1 winner over Edinboro in the other semifinal, at 4 p.m. Saturday at Shippensburg in the PSAC Title match. The Vulcans own two wins (3-2, 3-0) over the Golden Eagles this season.

Against Shippensburg, Sarah Fries led the way with 24 kills, 18 digs and three blocks, while Christina Steiner added 14 kills and 18 digs. Amanda Angermeier contributed 15 kills, and Kristi Fiorillo had 52 set assists and 12 digs. Vicky Gentile paced the defense with 26 digs.

Clarion got off to a slow start in Game One and trailed Shippensburg 8-6 before using a 13-5 run to take control of the game on its way to the 30-25 win.

Shippensburg looked like it was going to run away with Game Two sprinting out to a 9-2 lead before Clarion went on a 14-5 run to take a 16-14 advantage. Shippensburg fought back forging a 22-22 all tie before running off the next five points to get the 30-25 win.

In Game Three, Shippensburg held leads of 16-14 and 17-16 before Clarion used an 8-3 run to take a 24-20 advantage on its way to a 30-25 win.

The Golden Eagles then wasted little time putting the match away jumping ahead by scores of 7-3 and 17-11 in Game Four on their way to the 30-21 win.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES - Clarion finished second in the PSAC in 1989 after winning the PSAC Title in 1988 ... The Golden Eagles are ranked second in the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic Region poll. California is first ... Clarion is looking for its second straight NCAA Division II Playoff appearance and its fifth in six years.