Although it may be decided by Friday evening, the Clarkson University Volleyball team will look to clinch its third straight Liberty League regular-season title Saturday afternoon on its home court when the Golden Knights host four other conference competitors at Alumni Gymnasium this weekend.
Clarkson, ranked 17th in the latest AVCA Coaches' Poll, will travel to play St. Lawrence and Skidmore on Friday afternoon/evening and could potentially have cinched the top spot with a sweep and losses by Union and RIT. Otherwise, the Golden Knights will look to gain the title on Saturday when they host RIT (12:00 noon) and Union (4:00 pm).Â
Full Schedule (Saturday, October 24th)
Court 1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Court 2
RIT at Clarkson - 12:00 noon          Skidmore vs. St. Lawrence - 12:00 noon
Skidmore vs. RIT - 2:00 pm             Union vs. St. Lawrence - 2:00 pm
Union at Clarkson - 4:00 pmÂ
The Golden Knights moved up a spot in the polls despite a 1-3 weekend in Grand Rapids last week as Clarkson was forced to play four nationally-ranked teams without several key starters. Seniors Victoria Kirkemo and Kirstie Shurie were out the whole weekend with injuries, while Aishvina Arasu was forced to sit out against the last two national champions on Saturday in Calvin and Hope. Arasu will return this weekend while the other two AVCA All-Americans from a year ago may not make it back into action. Arasu leads the conference in hitting percentage (.332) and is second in the league in kills (3.64 kps). Danielle Farabee is second in the league in hitting (.286) while Rachael Aird is ninth (.236) after being forced into duty on the outside this weekend. Freshman Tara Stilwell was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Week after a strong showing in Grand Rapids, averaging better than five digs per set and recording nine aces. She also leads the conference in aces per set (0.56 aps).
On Friday, the Knights will be challenged by St. Lawrence (13-14, 5-3) and Skidmore (8-18, 2-6). Clarkson swept the Saints in the first meeting of the year to even the all-time series at 62-62, but St. Lawrence always comes prepared to play against the Knights. Lexi Brown leads the team in hitting with a .267 percentage and Cristina Deschaine is hitting .243 while also producing 0.84 blocks per set. Katie Kull posts 8.80 assists per set and Mariah Dignan leads the team with 4.49 digs per set. Skidmore was also swept by Clarkson in the first meeting of the season. The Thoroughbreds have stayed in matches this season with a strong defensive effort, averaging 18.36 digs per set, which leads the conerence. Marcela Familiar is the team's libero, averaging 5.13 digs per set, while Catie Canfield (2.89 kills, 0.40 aces per set) is the team's top offensive option.
The Golden Knights will open Saturday against RIT (17-12, 6-2) at noon. The two teams faced off in the Liberty League Championship last season with Clarkson coming away with a three-set win, the same fate that the Tigers suffered in the first meeting of the year between the two squads. Sarah Szybist leads the conference in kills per set (3.93 kps) for the third straight year, though her numbers are down this year as RIT has diversified its offense. Aleah Chinn is the team's top hitter in terms of percentage (2.42, eighth in the league). Union is the only team in the last two years to take a set from Clarkson in the Liberty League and once again challenged the Knights in the first meeting before falling in four. The Dutchwomen lead the conference in opponents' hitting percentage (.104) and blocks per set (1.78 bps). Rachael Wyman, Lauren Woods and Morgan Clark rank three through five in the league in hitting percentage, with Woods averaging 1.1 blocks per set. Amanda Price is second in the conference in assists (9.45 aps) and Kat Moeller is posting 4.56 digs per set.Â
