Box Score

EDINBORO – Behind double-digit kills from Kaitlyn Anderson, Corinne Manley and Kellie Bartman, the visiting Clarion University women's volleyball team defeated Edinboro 3-2 in the PSAC quarterfinals Tuesday night.
 
The third-seeded Golden Eagles (19-11), the defending PSAC Champions, dropped the first set 25-23 before rallying to win the next two by scores of 25-22 and 25-23. Second-seeded Edinboro (22-8) then tied the match with a 25-20 win in the fourth set before Clarion survived a tough fifth set 15-13 to take the victory.
 
“We got up 8-3 in the fifth set, and Edinboro was able to rally to make it close,” Clarion's fifth-year head coach Jennifer Mills said. “We were in the same situation Saturday (at California in a 3-2 loss) and faltered. We didn't do that this time. We took some big swings at the end. I'm happy with that.”
 
Mills credited Manley with having a huge night for the Golden Eagles. The sophomore middle hitter had 12 kills and no errors while hitting .522. She added four blocks.
 
“She was unbelievable,” Mills said. “They couldn't stop her. She has been coming on strong as of late.”
 
Anderson led the Golden Eagles with 15 kills and made just three errors while hitting .273. She had three service aces as well.
 
“Kaitlyn had a really good night,” Mills said.
 
Bartman added 10 kills, eight digs and two blocks for Clarion, which also got 20 digs from Rhianon Brady and 39 set assists and 12 digs from Amanda Gough.
 
“Rhi really played well again for us,” Mills said.
 
Serving hurt Clarion in the first set loss, as the Golden Eagles had a number of service errors in the two-point loss according to Mills.
 
“We had a chance in the first set but made some errors,” Mills said. “We had to fix a couple of things, as we struggled some with their middle and right-side hitters.”
 
Clarion answered strong in the next two sets to take the 2-1 lead.
 
“When we got them out of system we were able to get a lead,” Mills said. “Getting that lead was so important.”
 
After Edinboro was able to rally to tie the match, Clarion took the early advantage in the fifth set and then held on for the victory.
 
“Our experience of being here before was huge,” Mills said.
 
Clarion will face Lock Haven, the top seed from the PSAC East, in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lock Haven. It is Clarion's third straight trip to the PSAC semifinals.
 
“I think that's important,” Mills said. “One of my biggest goals when I took over was for us to be competitive in the conference every year. We have the athletes to do that, and they are working hard and buying into what we are doing. Our five seniors have built this. This is them, right here, right now.”
 
Rebecca Webb added five kills and four blocks and Hannah Heeter four kills and three blocks for Clarion.
 
Kelcie Hellmer paced Eindboro with 19 kills with Gina Boothe adding 17 and Cherene O'Hara 14. Megan Osysko had 34 set assists and Brittany Centorbi had 18 while Brittany Flyn had 25 digs.
 
NOTES – The other semifinal match will be between California, the top seed from the PSAC West, and West Chester, the third seed from the PSAC East. That match is set for 5 p.m. at Lock Haven. Cal defeated Gannon 3-0 and West Chester upset Kutztown 3-0 … The PSAC Championship game will also be at Lock Haven at 5 p.m. Saturday.