Worcester, Mass. – Powered by some excellent defense at the net, a strong service game and some hot hitting from key players, host Clark won for the second time in its last three matches with a 3-0 win over Wheaton College in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's volleyball action on Tuesday evening.

The Cougars improved their record to 7-11 overall, but more importantly, jump to 3-3 in league play, while the Lyons dropped their 11th match in their last 12 contests to dip to 3-19 overall and 0-6 in conference action.

Clark came out of the gate hot, racing out to a 12-1 lead in the first match before taking a 25-23 decision. Things stayed pretty much the same in the second set as the Cougars controlled play at the net, posting a season-high ten team blocks.

Game two went to Clark as well, 25-13, but the Lyons came out strong in game three. Wheaton found itself ahead 11-5, but the Cougars rallied behind service aces from Savonnah Rowe (New York, N.Y.) and Nichole Lopez (Alameda, Calif.) and eventually tied the score at 19-19.

Clark then ran off three straight points, taking a 22-19 lead, prompting a Wheaton timeout. The Lyons scored the next two points, to close the gap to 22-21, but the Cougars held on for the 25-23 win.

Amira Tranchell (Falmouth, Mass.) led the Clark attack with seven kills on .429 hitting, while Kristin McGinty (Vail, Colo.) added six kills on eight total attacks (.750 hitting).

Nicole Sullivan (Marshfield, Mass.) was a huge factor at the net registering five total blocks and Parker Edmonds (Fort Worth, Texas) added three of her own.

Rachel Spera (North Hollywood, Calif.) ended with 13 assists, five digs and a match-high four service aces.

The Lyons were led by Lindsay Tebbetts (Gilmanton, N.H.), who finished with a match-high eight kills, while Olanna Nissim (Greenwich, Conn.) chipped in with 16 assists.

Clark returns to the court on Saturday when they host a tri-match with Massachusetts-Maritime and Salve Regina.

Wheaton, meanwhile, will take part in a tri-match of its own on Saturday at Western Connecticut.