Gannon wrapped up its regular season in dramatic fashion on Senior Day, battling past Clarion in five sets to finish 22–6 overall and 13–1 in PSAC play.

Before the first serve, the Golden Knights honored graduate student middle blocker Kasey Smith (Meadville, Pa./Villa Maria) and senior setter Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) in a Senior Day ceremony recognizing their careers and contributions to the program.

Smith delivered a career-high 18 kills, surpassing her previous mark of 15 — a total she recorded while playing for the Fighting Scots volleyball program at Edinboro, including a 15-kill outing against Clarion on October 22, 2024. She hit .353 on 34 attempts and totaled 24.5 points with four block assists and a solo block. Smith provided key production early with six kills in the first set and added three more in the decisive fifth.

Arslan capped her final regular-season home match with a strong double-double, handing out 54 assists and collecting 10 digs while directing an offense that finished with 62 kills. She connected efficiently with multiple attackers, including Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) (14 kills, .522) and Nehir Yazicioglu (Ankara, Turkey) (11 kills, two aces).

The Golden Knights controlled the first and third sets with hitting marks of .357 and .522, respectively, and secured the match by limiting Clarion to .048 in the fifth.

The Match Facts
Gannon 3, Clarion 2
(25–15, 24–26, 25–14, 20–25, 15–7)
Location: Highmark Events Center – Erie, Pa.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025
Records: Gannon (22–6, 13–1 PSAC West), Clarion (12–16, 6–8 PSAC West)

Knight Cap

• Gannon closes the regular season at 22–6 overall and 13–1 in the PSAC.
• Kasey Smith (Meadville, Pa./Villa Maria) (Meadville, Pa./Villa Maria) posted a career and game-high 18 kills, hitting .353 and adding four block solos for a dominant Senior Day performance.
• Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) added 14 kills on .522 hitting and contributed three total blocks.
• Nehir Yazicioglu (Ankara, Turkey) finished with 11 kills, two service aces, and two total blocks.
• Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) recorded 9 kills and two block assists, providing steady production on the outside.
• Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts) added 9 kills and a block assist to round out a balanced attack.
• Gannon totaled 62 kills and 17 team blocks in the five-set victory.
• Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) posted a Senior Day double-double with 54 assists and 10 digs.
• Clarion dropped to 12–16 overall and 6–8 in the PSAC West.

 
Up Next
Gannon will host a PSAC Quarterfinal on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Highmark Events Center.