Beverly, MA – The Clarkson University Volleyball team faced a tough weekend in Northern Massachusetts, suffering two losses. They lost to Endicott College in straight sets, and then fell to Salve Regina University in a nail-biting five-set match.
After these games, Clarkson’s record now stands at 3-6. In their first match against Endicott, the Knights struggled offensively, managing only 18 kills from 83 attempts. Endicott, on the other hand, dominated with 45 kills. Clarkson also struggled with serve reception, allowing Endicott to score 15 aces.
Conley Burns led Clarkson’s offense against Endicott, finishing with seven kills, while Marin Hangliter added five. Ashley Currier contributed with 12 assists and eight digs, and Hangliter led the defense with nine digs.
The second match against Salve Regina was even more intense. Clarkson showed improvement but lost after leading two sets to one. In a dramatic fourth set, Clarkson had a match point at 24-22 thanks to another kill from Burns. However, Salve Regina rallied back, scoring four straight points and pushing the match to a fifth set.
In that deciding set, Clarkson initially led 11-5, but the Seahawks came back to win, taking the final six points of the match, including two aces. Despite Clarkson’s impressive hitting percentage of .276 in the final three sets, Salve Regina matched that energy with 43 kills of their own.
Conley Burns made headlines with 29 kills in the match against Salve Regina, the highest by a Clarkson player since 2016. This performance places her among the top scorers in the Liberty League, underscoring her impact on the court.
Along with Burns, Marin Hangliter added 15 kills, and Ainslie Reimer chipped in with 10. Ashley Currier again shined with 57 assists, while Emma Cortez led defensively with 16 digs.
Looking ahead, Clarkson will regroup and prepare for a home match against Castleton next Friday. With a few adjustments and a focus on consistency, the Knights hope to break back into the win column.
Interestingly, despite the losses, Burns’ performance indicates a growing trend in collegiate volleyball, where athletes are pushing the limits of scoring. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, scoring rates in women’s volleyball have steadily increased, reflecting both enhanced training techniques and shifts in gameplay strategy. As teams adapt, we can expect even more thrilling matches in the coming seasons.
For more insights into collegiate sports, check out the NCAA’s official statistics page here.
