Nov. 16, 2007

CALIFORNIA - One of the most successful seasons in Clarion University women's volleyball history came to an end Friday night with a 3-1 loss to Edinboro in the NCAA Division II Playoffs Atlantic Region semifinals.

The Golden Eagles (28-6) dropped the first two games (30-26, 30-20) before rallying for a 30-25 victory in the third game. Edinboro, though, closed out the match with a 31-29 Game Four win.

Christina Steiner led the Golden Eagles with 15 kills and 13 digs, while Sarah Fries had 12 kills and 18 digs. Amanda Angermeier chipped in with 10 kills. Kristi Fiorillo set the offense up with 46 set assists while adding 12 digs, and Vicky Gentile had 30 digs.

The 28 wins for Clarion are the third most in school history, and Thursday's 3-1 win over Lees-McRae in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament was Clarion's first-ever NCAA Playoff win. The Golden Eagles also finished 7-3 in the PSAC-West taking second in the division before finishing in second place at the PSAC conference tournament last weekend. The second-place PSAC ending was Clarion's best since taking second in 1989. The 28 wins for first-year head coach Jennifer Harrison are a school record for a first-year coach.

Olivia Williams paced Edinboro with 20 kills and 12 digs, Jenna Newman had 19 kills and Breanna Smith had 18 kills and 12 digs. Katie Wilkins set the offense up with 58 assists while adding 13 digs, Jenna Benkelman added eight kills and 22 digs and Maureen Tilert had 21 digs.

Edinboro will now play California at 7 p.m. in the Regional title game.