CLARION HOSTS CALIFORNIA IN KEY PSAC-WEST MATCH

            The Clarion University women’s volleyball team will host California at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a key PSAC-West clash.

            The Golden Eagles are 24-6 overall, 3-3 in the PSAC-West, while California is 23-4, 4-2. Clarion is in fourth place one game back of a three-way tie for first place between California, IUP and Lock Haven. The top three teams from the PSAC-West make the PSAC Playoffs. Clarion hosts IUP Oct. 26.

            “This is a key match for us,” Clarion head coach Tracey Fluharty said. “Cal has a good team. We were able to beat them down at their place, so you know they are going to want to come up here and return the favor. It should be a very competitive match.”

            Clarion handed the Vulcans one of its three loses 3-1 Sept. 18 at Hammer Hall. The Golden Eagles grabbed a 2-0 lead in the match with 30-25 and 37-35 wins before Cal won 30-27. Clarion won the match with a 31-29 fourth-game score.

            “As the scores indicate, it was a match between two very evenly matched teams,”

Fluharty said. “I expect the same type of match Tuesday night.”

            The Golden Eagles are led by senior outside hitter Sara Heyl (410 kills, 374 digs), senior middle hitter Colleen Sherk (398 kills, .399 hitting percentage, 76 blocks), junior setter Ashley Kreiner (1,315 set assists, 230 digs) and junior middle hitter Karen Stoklosa (192 kills, 144 blocks).

            California is paced by Katie Barker (404 kills, 361 digs), Jessica Brown (275 kills, 243 digs) and Aimee Helbig (1,020 assists, 180 digs).