Edinboro, Pa. - The Edinboro University volleyball team was victorious in three quick sets (25-19, 26-24, 25-18) over Clarion University, in a PSAC West match up on Friday night at McComb Fieldhouse. With the win the Fighting Scots improved to (16-3) overall and (8-1) in the PSAC West. The Golden Eagles fall to (15-7) overall and (7-3) in conference play.
On the offensive attack for Edinboro, sophomore Natalie Pallone led the way with a team-high 10 kills, Pallone posted a .476 hitting percentage
Freshman Abby Monn contributed nine kills, while senior Sally Sterkel and junior Bella Burrelli each added four kills of their own
Senior Alicia Eldredge continued to set up her teammates effectively, Eldredge posted 25 assists out of the teams total 28
Freshman Carly Pry recorded a game-high three service aces, Pry's three aces are also a season-high for her
On the defensive side Edinboro held Clarion to .080 hitting percentage, the Scots also produced seven total blocks compared to Clarion's zero
Leading the way in the blocks department Pallone, Sterkel, and Eldredge all posted two blocks apiece
Pry also had team-high 15 digs, while Burrelli contributed 12 of her own, and Monn added 10
In the opening set of the match Edinboro inflicted the first strike, as they won the set 25-19. Clarion jumped out to a 3-0 lead to begin the first set. Edinboro would respond with three straight points of their own. Midway through the set Edinboro scored four-straight to go up 14-9 on Clarion. Throughout the run, the Scots recorded kills by Pallone and Cloonan and an ace by Burrelli. In the first set Edinboro found success in the attack, the Scots recorded 14 team kills and a .256 hitting percentage. Edinboro would score the final two points of the first set, with back-to-back kills by Pallone. Edinboro won the set 25-19.
In the second set Edinboro would carry their momentum over to squeeze by Clarion 26-24. The second set was a battle between the two PSAC West teams, throughout there was six ties and five lead changes. Early in the set Clarion ran up four-straight points off Julia Piccolino's service. Edinboro immediately fired back and responded with four-straight points off Burrelli's service to make the score 10-9 in favor of Clarion. Both teams had effective attacks in the second set, Edinboro recorded 10 kills and Clarion recorded 11. The teams continued to trade runs throughout the set. Edinboro was down 24-22 and on the brink of dropping the set, then they proceeded to score the next four points. With two kills by Monn, a kill by Sterkel and an ace by Pry, Edinboro would win the second set 26-24.
In the third set Edinboro would finish off the Golden Eagles and clinch the win with a score of 25-18. Clarion came out to start the third set by throwing the first jab, when they went up 3-0. Later, after a kill and ace by Clarion, Edinboro was down 6-2. Midway through the set Edinboro began to fight back, the Scots went on a seven-point run off freshman Abigale Soboleski's service to go up 11-9. During the run, Eldredge recorded a kill and Soboleski posted an ace. Later in the set the score was tied up 16-16, Edinboro then proceeded to go on another run to put away Clarion. Edinboro's run consisted of eight-straight points off Pallone's service. During the run Monn recorded two kills, and Edinboro was suddenly up 24-16 only one point away from a win. After two consecutive points by Clarion, Edinboro scored the final point to win the set 25-18. Edinboro's third set win completed the 3-0 sweep over Clarion.
Edinboro will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 23, when they travel on the road to match up against California University of Pennsylvania at 4 p.m.
