ERIE, PA – An incredible run of Gannon volleyball continued Sunday, and now the 2022 Golden Knights are PSAC champions.

Gannon defeated 2021 champion Clarion in five sets at Highmark Events Center to claim the third PSAC volleyball title in program history.  The victory was Gannon's 14th in a row and 20th in the past 21 matches. The Golden Knights prevailed 25-19, 19-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-8 in an intense, well-played match in front of a lively crowd. Gannon improved to 26-5, while Clarion dropped to 26-4.

Clarion was the PSAC West preseason favorite and defeated Gannon in three sets on October 7 at Highmark Events Center. Coach Matt Darling's Gannon team has not lost since.

The win streak has included a pair of five-set wins over Clarion. The Golden Knights defeated the Golden Eagles in five sets at Clarion on Saturday, November 5, to clinch the PSAC West regular-season title in the season finale.

Darling, the PSAC West Coach of the Year, led Gannon to PSAC titles in 2012 and 2016.

Junior outside hitter Madde Blake (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) was selected as the PSAC Tournament MVP, but this was a balanced attack from Gannon, and several Knights had MVP-like performances.

Blake turned in a strong all-around effort. She had a team-high 11 kills in the semifinals on Saturday and added 19 kills, 21 points, 11 digs and two aces in the title match on Sunday.

Sophomore outside hitter Sam Deinek (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon East), Gannon's season-long leader in kills, had another outstanding effort with a team-high 21 kills and 21.5 points against a strong blocking front line for Clarion. She also delivered the final point of the match on a powerful kill up the middle of the Clarion defense.

Setter Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey), the PSAC Freshman of the Year, turned in another big effort with 49 assists, 17 digs, and five kills. She drew praise from Darling, Blake, and Deinek for her ability to set up Gannon hitters and deceive the opposing defense.

Sophomore libero Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell), the PSAC Defensive Player of the Year, led Gannon again with a match-high 25 digs and added six assists.

Sophomore right side Hailey Koch (Littleton, Col./Dakota Ridge), who has been red hot late in the season, added 13 more kills.

Senior middle blocker Maggie Greenfield (Woodstock, Ontario/Woodstock Collegiate Institute) led the Golden Knights with five blocks.

Others made big contributions too. Gannon turned in one of its finest defensive efforts of the season against Clarion's powerful front line. Julia Piccolino had a match-high 26 kills and Cassidy Snider added 18.

However, they might have had many more kills if the GU back row and blockers had not played such effective, scrambling defense
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Gannon will advance to the NCAA Tournament and will be in contention to host a regional. The NCAA Selection Show took place Sunday night, and Gannon will host the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional this weekend. The Golden Knights are the top seed and will face No. 8 seed Elizabeth City State (N.C.) in the first round on Friday.