WORCESTER, Mass. – The Clark University volleyball team (4-11, 0-6 NEWMAC) hosted No. 21 Smith (19-1, 6-0 NEWMAC) for a midweek NEWMAC battle. The Cougars battled hard in the opening and closing sets, but the Bears showed why they were nationally ranked, winning all three sets to secure their 10th consecutive victory.
How it Happened
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After a 3-0 run to start the match by the Bears, the Cougars responded with kills from juniors Abigail Venis and Isabella Alcott. An ace from Venis capped the run and tied the match at 7-7.
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Smith gained some breathing room, building a lead of as many as six points. However, Clark remained resilient, with additional kills from Alcott, Venis, and senior Katelyn Williams.
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Later in the set, the Cougars pulled within one point after a kill from first-year Julia Crockett and an ace from senior Julia Dopazo made it 22-21. Clark again came within one at 23-22 following a kill from senior Winifred Gakidis.
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Smith found the points it needed to take the first set, 25-23.
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The Bears carried their momentum into the second set, taking an early 5-1 lead despite a kill from Williams. Smith extended its advantage to eight, but a pair of kills and an ace from Alcott helped Clark cut the deficit to 12-6.
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Smith then went on a six-point run to pull away. A kill from Williams and two service aces from Venis helped the Cougars get some points back, but the Bears ultimately took the set, 25-10.
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Clark opened the third set with a block from Gakidis and Crockett, but Smith responded with six consecutive points to take an early lead.
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The Cougars battled back with kills from Alcott and first-year Addison Link, along with a service ace from junior Hannah Harrington.
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Trailing 18-13, Clark put together a five-point run to tie the set at 18, beginning with a kill from Alcott.
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Smith regained the lead, but the Cougars fought back to tie the set at 23 behind kills from Williams and Crockett, along with a block from Gakidis and Crockett.
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The Bears secured the next two points to take the set, 25-23, and win the match in straight sets.
Inside the Box Score
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The Cougars recorded 24 kills on 24 assists, along with 28 digs and seven service aces.
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Alcott led the offense with 14 kills and five digs. It marked her eighth match of the season and fifth consecutive match with double-digit kills.
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Harrington (16 assists) and Dopazo (11 assists) led the Cougars in assists, with each also recording a service ace.
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Chinn and Williams led the defensive effort, recording seven digs apiece.
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Venis recorded four service aces, setting a new career high and matching her previous career total entering the match.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White travel to Wellesley this weekend for a Saturday matchup beginning at 1:00 p.m.
