CLARION, Pa. (Sept. 24) – The California (PA) volleyball team was dealt a 3-0 loss (25-13, 25-15, 25-16) at Clarion in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action on Saturday afternoon at the Tippin Gymnasium.

With the loss, the Vulcans fall to 7-6 this season and 1-3 in divisinoal play. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles improve to 14-1 overall and 4-0 in league competition following an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

Sophomore Allie Droneberger (North Beach, Md./Northern) paced the team with six kills and senior Chelsea Howard (Atlanta, Ga./North Atlanta) followed with five kills. Senior Kelly Lynch (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Holy Name) and freshman Ashley Barnes (Crofton, Md./Arundel) both tallied a service ace. Freshman Adrianna Favata (Peoria, Ariz./Liberty) contributed to the offense with a team-high eight assists. On the defensive side, Lynch notched a match-high 14 digs, while Howard and junior Alayja Floyd (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) each led the team with a pair of blocks.

In the first set, the Golden Eagles were able to jump out to a 9-4 lead before going on a 6-3 run. Cal went on to score four of the next six points to cut the deficit 17-11. However, Clarion constructed an 8-2 run to take the first set by a 25-13 count.

The Golden Eagles held an 8-4 lead in the second set before Cal scored a pair of points off kill from Howard and a service ace from Barnes. Clarion tallied the next seven points to lead 15-6 before going on a 9-5 run to stretch the lead to 24-11. Cal compiled a late surge as it scored four-consecutive points to trim the deficit to 24-15 until a kill gave the Golden Eagles the set, 25-15.

As the third set commenced, Clarion found itself with a 14-3 advantage. The Vulcans conducted a 5-3 run to trim the deficit to 17-8 before the Golden Eagles answered with three-straight points.  Once again, Cal executed a late surge as it went on an 8-4 run, however, a service error gave the Clarion the set and match, 25-16.

The Vulcans return to action on Friday, Sept. 30, as they host Mercyhurst in PSAC West play at 6 p.m.