ERIE, Pa. – Things have changed significantly in the past week for the Gannon volleyball team.

Going into last weekend, the Golden Knights were in second place in the PSAC West before a showdown with division leader Clarion.

One week later, coach Matt Darling's Gannon team is alone in first place and Clarion has dropped two matches in a row to fall into second place.

The Golden Knights defeated the Golden Eagles in five sets at Clarion on Saturday to move into a tie for first place. Clarion then lost to IUP on Tuesday as Gannon slipped alone into first place with a 9-1 record (18-3 overall). The Golden Knights have won nine in a row.

Gannon will now try to remain on pace for the No. 1 seed in the PSAC West this weekend when it hosts California and Seton Hill on back-to-back days. That includes Senior Day on Saturday when Gannon will honor Madde Blake (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central), Makenna Gavin (Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth), Marta Roicka (Warsaw, Poland/North Central Texas Academy), and Anja Vranic (Belgrade, Serbia/Sport Gymnasium). Gannon will hold its Senior Day festivities after that match.
 
 
GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (18-3 OVERALL, 9-1 PSAC WEST) VS. CALIFORNIA, PA. (7-10 OVERALL, 2-8 PSAC WEST)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Highmark Events Center
LIVE VIDEO    
LIVE STATS
 
GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (18-3 OVERALL, 9-1 PSAC WEST) VS. SETON HILL (9-13 OVERALL, 3 -7 PSAC WEST)
WHEN: Saturday, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Highmark Events Center
LIVE VIDEO  
LIVE STATS
 

ALL-TIME SERIES

• Gannon leads the series with California 28-19.

           After losing the first two sets at Cal on Sept. 30, GU rallied for a five-set win by scores of 26-28, 26-28, 25-21, 25-14, 15-10.

• Gannon leads the series with Seton Hill 22-6.

           On Sept. 29, the Knights beat the Griffins 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18).
 

HEAD COACHES

Matt Darling, Gannon: He has a 397-141 record in 17 seasons as the Gannon women's volleyball coach. He has led the Golden Knights to 13 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and the team has advanced to the D-II Elite Eight in four of the past five NCAA Tournaments, including two Final Four berths.

Rick Hall, Seton Hill: Hall is in his 39th season with the team. He has compiled more than 750 career victories with the Griffins.

Peter Letourneau, California: He is in his 13th season with the Vulcans and has a 240-136 record. He is the winningest coach in program history.
 

RECENT TOP PERFORMERS

Gannon:

Journey Blevins (Richwood, Ohio/North Union): The junior outside hitter paces Gannon and ranks third in the PSAC with 352 kills. She is second in the conference with an average of 4.57 kills per set.

Hailey Koch (Littleton, Col./Dakota Ridge): The junior right side hitter is second on Gannon's team with 196 kills after registering 17 in the win over Clarion on Saturday.

Madde Blake (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central): The senior outside hitter is third on the team with 170 kills and 153 digs.

Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian): The sophomore setter led Gannon with 39 assists against Clarion on Saturday.

Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell): The junior libero ranks second in the PSAC and leads Gannon with 374 digs, including 27 against Clarion.


California:

Elisa Rugiero: She leads Cal with 197 kills. She also has 169 digs and 39 total blocks.

Rachel Simon: The junior setter is Cal's primary setter with 457 assists.

Emily Buwawa: The senior defensive specialist paces the Vulcans with 256 digs.

Alayja Floyd: The senior middle hitter leads Cal with 74 total blocks.
 

Seton Hill:

Paige Cole: The junior outside hitter is the Griffins' team leader with 290 kills and ranks second with 208 digs.

Abby Oesterling: The junior setter paces Seton Hill with 548 assists.

Catie Flohr: The freshman middle hitter leads Seton Hill with 46 total blocks and ranks second on the team with 229 kills.