The Clarkson University Volleyball team extended its season-long winning streak to five matches by gaining a 3-2 victory over North Country rival St. Lawrence University at Burkman Gymnasium in Canton on Tuesday night. The Golden Knights were able to come from behind thanks to the defense of sophomore Alison Schroeder (Webster, NY), topping the Saints by the scores of 25-19, 25-27, 18-25, 25-19 and 17-15. 

"I thought we came out today with a lot of intensity, ready to prove ourselves after two hard fought losses to SLU earlier this year," stated head coach Johan Dulfer. "We let the disappointing loss in the second set get us out of our rhythm for a while but once we got back on track, it was great to notice the resolve in the team. Even when we were down two match points, there was no doubt in the huddles that we could win this match. I am very proud of how this young team was able to score the last few points and walk away with a victory tonight against a very good St. Lawrence team."

Freshman Sara Artus (St. Regis Falls, NY) had 11 kills and only three errors against the Saints. Classmate Megan Mahon’s (Irvine, CA) had 16 kills, while Stacy Storms (Marcy, NY) had 10 kills and only two errors. Junior Davanna Chetney (Fulton, NY)had a team high 20 kills, with Schroeder and junior Jenna Stock (Johnston, NY) right behind her with 14.

Clarkson (15-13), which had lost two previous meetings against St. Lawrence earlier this season, made an early statement with a 25-19 game one victory. Stock and freshman Rachel Simons (Webster, NY) played well at the net for the Knights, who took an early three point lead.  Mahon's kill would put the game in the win column for Clarkson when her kill went off of a St. Lawrence blocker and out of bounds.

The Saints would respond with a furious second-game rally to even the match at 1-1.  Having claimed the momentum in the previous game, St. Lawrence rolled to a 25-18 win to take a 2-1 advantage. 

Needing a win to stay alive in the match, Clarkson dug deep behind senior Storms to take an early 6-4 lead.  The Knights would keep their momentum with stingy defense at the net, building a comfortable 19-10 lead, and forced a deciding fifth game thanks to a 25-19 victory.

Despite St. Lawrence opening up 4-1 lead in the final set, Clarkson would respond thanks to Schroeder’s defense.  The Clarkson libero was everywhere on the floor, making dig after dig to keep points alive for the Golden Knights.  Her play, along with the offensive attack of Storms, helped the visitors pull to within five points of victory at 10-8. Artus would level the score at 14-14 with a kill, but saw her team trail yet again at 15-14 when St. Lawrence gained the next point.