CLARION, Pa. — Clarion (3-0, 0-0 PSAC) had a successful second day at the Tony Banner Memorial Tournament, sweeping Franklin Pierce (0-2, 0-0 NE10) with a decisive 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-12, 25-21) in the afternoon and then edging out Daemen (0-2, 0-0 ECC) in a dramatic five-set match, winning 3-2 (21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 18-25, 15-9) later that night. The Golden Eagles served up a total of 23 service aces across both matches, showcasing their strong serving game.
Clarion 3, Franklin Pierce 0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-21)
Clarion's defense held the Ravens to a .030 attack percentage, bolstered by a 10-3 advantage in team blocks.
Finley Kearney led the blocking efforts with five total blocks, contributing nine kills on 15 attempts for a .467 hitting percentage.
Taylor Haupt added eight kills, three service aces, and 11 digs, marking her second double-double in as many matches.
Emily Klopp was also a defensive standout, recording six blocks.
The Golden Eagles opened the first set strong, establishing momentum with a kill from Klopp assisted by
Natalie Karrick. Despite a brief response from Franklin Pierce, Clarion maintained control with a service ace from Haupt and successive kills, concluding the set 25-15 after a solid performance capped by a kill from
Cara Vandeborne.
In the second set, Clarion capitalized on a series of Ravens errors, with Kearney leading the charge. The Golden Eagles extended their lead with back-to-back service aces from Karrick and secured the set 25-12 after dominating play throughout.
The third set saw Clarion begin with a kill by
Kayden McKinney, and they maintained their lead with key defensive plays, including a block by Klopp and Vandeborne. Despite a late push from Franklin Pierce, the Golden Eagles closed out the set with decisive kills from Haupt and Kearney.
Clarion 3, Daemen 2 (21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 18-25, 15-9)
In the decisive fifth set, the Golden Eagles gained early momentum with a service error by Daemen and capitalized with a kill by
Taylor Haupt, assisted by
Natalie Karrick, pushing the score to 2-1. A series of errors from Daemen, combined with blocks by
Cara Vandeborne and
Emily Klopp, allowed them to extend their lead to 4-1. Despite a brief scoring response from Daemen, they maintained control with a significant kill by Haupt and a service ace, widening the margin to 12-5. As the set closed, the Golden Eagles sustained their advantage with a kill by Vandeborne and finished the set with a kill by Klopp, assisted by Karrick, securing a 15-9 victory to conclude the match.
Taylor Haupt led the offensive charge with 14 kills, 15 digs, and four service aces, while
Emily Klopp continued her strong presence at the net with six blocks.
Lauren Fjerstad added to the serving strength with four aces, and
Cara Vandeborne excelled defensively, accumulating nine total blocks.
Clarion started the first set against Daemen by establishing an early 4-1 lead, but the Wildcats responded to take the set 25-21 after capitalizing on errors. The Golden Eagles rebounded in the second set, securing a 25-21 victory thanks to strong performances from Kearney and Haupt.
The third set featured a remarkable comeback from a 6-0 deficit, initiated by service aces from Vandeborne and culminating in a block by Klopp and Vandeborne that tied the set at 13-13. Clarion finished strong with a service ace from Karrick to win 25-18.
In a closely contested fourth set, despite a strong start, Clarion fell to Daemen 25-18, but they regained their composure in the decisive fifth set. Clarion took early control and maintained their advantage to clinch the match 15-9.
