Box Score

POTSDAM, NY (November 4, 2011) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team raced out to a 16-3 lead in the first set, and appeared primed to upset No. 1 seed Clarkson in the semifinals of the Liberty League Tournament on Friday night. But the Golden Knights regrouped after losing the first set and defeated the Brewers 3-1 (18-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-17) at Alumni Gymnasium.

The No. 4 seed Brewers had an auspicious start, taking a 16-3 lead on good serving and a perfect attack first set (11-0-29) with a .379 attack percentage. Following the first set, however, the attack percentage dipped and Clarkson took advantage of its own improving attack game, to win the next three sets.

Vassar concludes the 2011 season with a 17-13 record. Clarkson improves to 28-7 and will play the winner of the Skidmore-St. Lawrence match in the finals on Saturday. 

The Brewers were led by freshman Marie Pitre, who had 10 kills and was named to the All-Tournament Team on Saturday afternoon. Junior Chloe McGuire had eight kills, sophomore Jessie Ditmore chipped in with seven kills and in her final game for Vassar, senior Amy Bavosa had five kills. Junior Hilary Koenigs had all of Vassar's 30 set assists and sophomore Rose Carman had a match-high 11 digs.

Vassar's most impressive display came on the block, as the team had 13 blocks (2 solo blocks, 22 block assists). Pitre had five blocks and Jessie Ditmore added six blocks. Bavosa had five blocks. 

In winning the next three sets, Clarkson led from start-to-finish in each, jumping out to quick leads. The Golden Knights built a 20-12 margin in the second set, an 18-9 margin in the third set and pulled away from a tight lead early in the fourth set for a 20-12 advantage. In each set, the Brewers were unable to get closer than seven-to-ten points, making a comeback a tough task.

Clarkson had three players in double figures in kills, led by Liberty League Player of the Year Sarah Artus with 16 kills, Becca Brabec with 16 kills and Adrienne Walker with 10 kills. Lani Durio had 43 set assists and 10 digs to lead the Golden Knights.