Box Score

HUNTINGDON – Behind 11 kills each from Kaitlyn Anderson and Kellie Bartman, the Clarion University women's volleyball team went on the road and picked up a huge 3-0 win over Juniata, who entered the match ranked second in nation in the Bison/AVCA Division III Coaches Poll.

 

The Golden Eagles (15-2), who had never beaten Juniata (18-2) in the previous 13 matches between the schools, won by scores of 25-23, 25-22, 25-19.

 

“This is a huge win for our program,” Clarion's fourth-year head coach Jennifer Harrison said. “To go out and compete and play solid for three sets against a great team and well coached team, I'm just proud of our players. They have rebounded nicely from the loss at Edinboro Friday with a win Saturday and then this big win tonight.”

 

Clarion, which also got eight kills from Corinne Manley and six kills and five blocks from Rebecca Webb, trailed 12-10 in the first set before going on a 10-4 run to take a lead it never relinquished. Then in the second set, the Golden Eagles trailed 16-15 before using an 8-3 run to take control. Finally, in the third set Clarion used an 8-2 run to build a 13-7 lead and never allowed Juniata closer than three points the rest of the way while closing out the match.

 

Bartman added eight digs and five blocks continuing her fine play, while Anderson chipped in eight digs, two assists and two aces. Amanda Gough paced the offense with 34 set assists while adding four kills and three digs, and Rhianon Brady chipped in with 23 digs.

 

Clarion returns to action Friday and Saturday when it hosts a PSAC Crossover Weekend. The Golden Eagles face Kutztown at 7 p.m. Friday before hosting West Chester at 10 a.m. Saturday and Cheyney at 5:30 p.m. Other match times not involving for the weekend include 5 p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.

 

NOTES – Prior to Tuesday night, Clarion had never even won a set against Juniata in a series that dates back to 1980 … It was only the second time in 14 meetings the teams met on Juniata's home court. The first was in 2008 when Juniata won 3-0 … Clarion is 15-2 after 17 matches for just the fifth time in school history but for the second year in a row. The Golden Eagles were 16-1 in 2002 and 15-2 in 1985 as well … Harrison now has 85-33 in her fourth season. She has the fourth-most wins in school history, and her .720 winning percentage currently ranks second in school history … Clarion hit .255 for the match, including .342 over the final two sets, compared to .144 for Juniata … Drew Barhart led Juniata with 13 kills, while Amy Miller had eight.