CALIFORNIA, Pa. — In a tense five-set match at the Convocation Center, Clarion fell to California (PA) on Saturday evening, with the Vulcans pulling out a 3-2 (24-26, 25-16, 18-25, 25-22, 16-18) victory in the PSAC West match.
The Golden Eagles bounced back from a 2-1 deficit in the match, resisting a late charge by the Vulcans in the fourth set to force a decisive fifth set. What followed was very nearly an incredible comeback, with Clarion fighting back from a 14-9 deficit to tie the fifth set at 14. After the teams traded the next four points to make it 16-16, Cal strung together a pair of points to win the set 18-16.
Marisa Markou facilitated the offense with 39 assists over five sets.
Haley Fledderjohann contributed defensively with a career-high 38 digs, providing critical support on the back line.
Raegan Stader led the team in scoring with 16 kills across five sets.
Finley Kearney bolstered the defense at the net, recording a total of six blocks.
Clarion secured a decisive victory in the fourth set with a series of impactful plays, overcoming Cal to force a fifth set. The set began with a service ace from Markou, setting the tone for Clarion's performance. A crucial run was highlighted by Markou's contributions, as she facilitated key kills for
Natalie Karrick, Kearney, and Stader, extending Clarion's lead.
Despite the Vulcans' attempts to close the gap, Clarion maintained their momentum. The set concluded with Markou's service ace, sealing the win for Clarion at 25-22.
Clarion fought tenaciously in the fifth set, responding to an early two-point deficit with Kearney's kill, assisted by Markou, that initiated a rally.
Karlee Berchtold and Stader each delivered multiple kills in the Golden Eagles' 5-0 run that pulled them even with the Vulcans at 14.
Despite Clarion's resilience, including a late kill by Berchtold that tied the score at 16-16, the Vulcans edged ahead with a final push. The set concluded with Clarion narrowly falling short as Cal secured the set 18-16, thus ending the match with a final score of 3-2 in favor of the home team.
Clarion started the first set with an early deficit, trailing 3-0 after two attack errors. However, Clarion managed to recover and tie the score at 9-9, with a series of kills, including significant contributions from
Claire Bickett and Stader. Clarion continued to build momentum, taking the lead at 12-9, thanks to a sequence of attack errors by Cal and successful blocks by Kearney and Karrick.
As the set progressed, Clarion maintained a narrow lead, reaching 20-17 with a kill by Stader. Despite Cal rallying back to tie at 24-24, Clarion fell short in the closing moments. The set ended with the Vulcans securing a 26-24 victory after a kill by Lindsey Scammell followed by an attack error by Bickett.
Clarion took control early in the second set, with Kearney and Stader making key kills to establish a lead. A series of kills by Bickett and service aces by Karrick extended Clarion's advantage, while Cal struggled to respond effectively.
Despite a brief rally by Cal midway through the set, Clarion's offense, spearheaded by
Emily Klopp and
Karlee Berchtold's decisive plays, maintained their momentum. The set concluded with Clarion securing a 25-16 victory, solidifying their dominant performance.
Clarion responded to an early deficit in the third set with a service ace from Fledderjohann, leveling the score at 2-2. The team maintained pressure with consecutive kills by Karrick and Stader, bringing the score to 5-6. Despite a consistent back-and-forth, Clarion's efforts, including a pivotal kill by Klopp, kept them within striking distance at 15-15.
As the set progressed, Cal gained momentum, capitalizing on Clarion's errors and extending their lead. Clarion attempted to close the gap with a kill from Stader, but the Vulcans quickly countered. The set concluded with Clarion falling short as Cal secured a 25-18 victory.
