Clarkson Sweeps Saints in 2011 Liberty League Opener
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Tara FreemanKatie Prue '14 recorded six digs in the Saints loss to Clarkson on Tuesday night.
Sept. 20: The St. Lawrence University volleyball team dropped its opening Liberty League contest of the 2011 season on Tuesday night, as Clarkson University used outstanding defense to blank the Saints, 3-0.
The Golden Knights, who earned an NCAA Tournament bid last season, remained unbeaten in 2011 at 14-0 (1-0), while the Saints drop to 8-7 (0-1) after falling 25-12, 25-12, 25-15.
"Clarkson definitely took it to us tonight," said St. Lawrence Head Coach Shelly Roiger. "They dominated from the first point and they were clearly the better team. We have little time to recover mentally as we take on three conference opponents this weekend."
Senior Nyasha Miller led the Saints with six kills. Classmate Katherine Pierce recorded 11 digs.
St. Lawrence took an early 3-0 advantage in the opening game, but Clarkson rallied in style behind the play of Sara Artus and Rachel Simons. With the visitors up 19-12, the Golden Knights were able to serve out the match, winning six straight points en route to a 1-0 lead.
The Saints again battled their North Country rival early in the second set, as they trailed by only one point at 8-7 off a kill from senior Marta Johann. However, Clarkson ended the set on a 17-5 run to take a commanding 2-0 advantage.
The Golden Knights carried their momentum into the third set, taking a 7-0 lead out of the gate. Though St. Lawrence would pull back to within six at 14-8, Clarkson's defense at the net was too much, shutting down the home team, 25-15, for the three-game sweep.
The Scarlet and Brown will look to rebound on Friday, September 23 when the team squares off with conference newcomers RIT and Bard in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. The Saints will then play Vassar College on Saturday to complete the full slate of Liberty League action.