CLARION, Pa. – The Golden Eagle volleyball team won their fourth straight conference match on Saturday afternoon, sweeping California (PA) to the tune of a 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-16) victory at Tippin Gym. Clarion (14-1, 4-0 PSAC West) extended their streak of consecutive sets won at home to 21 straight in the victory over the Vulcans.
The beneficiaries of a difficult offensive day for the Vulcans, the Golden Eagles recorded 41 kills to California's 20, and out-hit their opponent .306 to -.011. The offense was spread around fairly evenly by setters
London Fuller and
Emma Strefling, who combined for 28 total assists.
Julia Piccolino was the only player on either side to reach double digits in attacking, finishing with 11 kills and a .391 attack percentage.
Amy Regrut and
Cassidy Snider each recorded nine kills, while
Abigail Selfridge had 13 digs and two aces.
Clarion quickly opened up a 7-3 lead on the Vulcans, and Fuller's solo block of Kaylin Burkey increased that advantage to 11-5 in the first set. The Golden Eagles later rattled off three straight points to take a 15-7 advantage, with
Alyson Peters starting the rally and the duo of Peters and Snider finishing it off with a kill. Piccolino aced Allie Droneberger to make it 22-12, and Snider recorded the set point with a kill at 25-13.
The teams traded points early in the second set, with the Vulcans pulling to within 8-6 after a Clarion error. It got no closer than that though as the Golden Eagles scored seven straight points to open up a 15-6 advantage.
Lauren Aichinger started the run with a kill and Selfridge peppered in two aces to extend the advantage.
Sadie Leisinger bounced a kill at 22-11, and Strefling tipped one over the net to force set point at 24-11.
Julia Shaw finished off that game, taking a set from Strefling and killing it for the set point. The third set was never truly in question as the Golden Eagles opened up leads of 5-1 and 8-2 before eventually taking a 14-3 advantage. Piccolino made it 15-5 with a kill, and Regrut bounced one to make it 20-8. An eventual Vulcan error gave Clarion the 25-16 set win.
