Nov. 10, 2007

SHIPPENSBURG - The Clarion University women's volleyball team fell to California 3-0 (27-30, 35-37, 20-30) in the PSAC Championship match Saturday afternoon at Shippensburg.

The second-place finish for Clarion is its best since taking second in 1989. Clarion won the PSAC title in 1988.

Sarah Fries led Clarion (27-5) with 15 kills and 16 digs, while Amanda Angermeier had 14 kills. Christina Steiner added seven kills and 14 digs, and Kristi Fiorillo had 40 assists and 13 digs. Vicky Gentile added 29 digs.

Joanna Nist paced Cal with 18 kills, 10 digs and Amber Santavy added 16 kills and 22 digs.

Cal took control of game one early jumping out to a 15-8 lead before Clarion cut the gap to two points, 25-23, before the Vulcans won out.

Clarion controlled the second game most of the way holding leads of 15-11, 21-16, 26-21 and 29-26. But Cal went on a 4-0 run to take a 30-29 lead. Clarion fought back and had a couple of chances to put the game away the last at 33-32 but Cal was able to come back and get the 37-35 win.

The Vulcans then took control of the third game early jumping ahead 12-6 on their way to the 30-20 win.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES - Clarion is ranked second in the Atlantic Region while Cal is ranked first ... The NCAA Division II playoff brackets will be announced at 9 a.m. Monday ... Clarion is looking for its second straight NCAA playoff berth and its fifth in six years.