Worcester, MA...The Clark University women's volleyball team defeated the Coast Guard Bear 3-2 in the first New England and Women's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match of the season. The Bears forced a fifth set after battling back from two sets. The Cougars raced out to a 2-0 lead after winning game one (25-22) and game two (25-20). The Bears won game three (25-18) and game four (25-21) before the Cougars won the final game (15-10). 

The Cougars improved to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the NEWMAC while the Bears lost only their third match of the season to fall to 6-3/0-1.

Clark's junior Ana Mercado (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) and senior Marina Ramos (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) continue to pace the Cougars attack with 21 and 20 kills respectively. Ramos added 23 digs while junior Rayme Quiban (Seattle, Wash.) had 20 digs.

Senior Michelle McGill (Atlantic Beach, Fla.) had an impressive defensive night with a match-high 31 digs for the Bears. Teammate and first-year Bridget Boyle (Dunwoody, Ga.) had a team-high 13 kills.

Coast Guard is back in action on Saturday, September 16 when they host NEWMAC opponent Emerson at 1 p.m. The Cougars travel to Rhode Island College on Thursday, September 14 for a 6 p.m. start.