CLARION RANKED THIRD IN ATLANTIC REGION

            The Clarion University women’s volleyball team is ranked third in the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic Region poll released Nov. 3.

            The Regional rankings help determined the field for the NCAA Division II playoffs. The playoffs, divided into eight regions, include eight teams from the Atlantic Region including the champions of the PSAC, CIAA and CVAC and the top five ranked teams that aren’t those champions.

            Clarion (29-6 overall, 6-3 PSAC-West) clinched its first outright PSAC Playoff berth since 1990 with a 3-0 win over Slippery Rock Tuesday and an IUP loss to Lock Haven. The Golden Eagles still have a chance to tie for the conference title if they beat Edinboro Saturday and California knocks off Lock Haven. Clarion has qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs in each of the past two seasons.

            The Golden Eagles have won nine straight contests and 22 of their past 23. In that stretch, Clarion has lost just 10 total games including just one game in its past nine matches.

            GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES: The PSAC Playoffs will be Nov. 12-13 at the highest seed from the PSAC-West … Clarion last won the PSAC title in 1988 … The Golden Eagles lost in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs in each of the last two seasons to Lees-McRae … Clarion head coach Tracey Fluharty is 109-37 (.747) in her four years at Clarion including 21-18 (.538) in PSAC-West play … The Golden Eagles are 81-21 (.794) the past three seasons.