CLARION, Pa. — The Gannon volleyball team dropped its first PSAC West match of the season Friday night, falling to PSAC West foe Clarion in a five-set battle at Tippin Gymnasium.
The Golden Knights took the opening and third sets, but Clarion answered with a pair of 26-24 victories in the second and fourth before claiming the deciding fifth set, 15-10.
The loss moved Gannon to 13-3 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC West, while Clarion improved to 11-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play. It also snapped Gannon's 12-match winning streak.
It marked the third time this season the Golden Knights have gone five sets.
Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts) paced Gannon with 17 kills and 15 digs, while
Ava Gainer (Wheeling, W.Va./The Linsly School) handed out 46 assists.
The latest chapter in the tightly contested rivalry leaves Clarion with a narrow 42-40 advantage in the all-time series.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: Clarion 3, Gannon 2 (19-25, 26-24, 17-25, 26-24, 15-10)
Records: Gannon 13-3, 3-1 PSAC West | Clarion 11-5, 3-1 PSAC West
Location: Tippin Gymnasium – Clarion, Pa.
Date: Oct. 2, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- First PSAC West Setback: Gannon suffered its first conference loss of the season, moving to 3-1 in PSAC West play. Clarion also moved to 3-1 in the division.
- Another Five-Set Battle: Friday marked the third time this season the Golden Knights have played a five-set match.
- Williams Leads the Attack: Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts) finished with a team-high 17 kills while adding 15 digs for a double-double. She also contributed two blocks.
- Three Reach Double Figures: Williams was joined in double-digit kills by Carlee Webber (Anamosa, IA/Marion) and Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson), who each recorded 10. Webber also added four total blocks.
- Gainer Directs the Offense: Ava Gainer (Wheeling, W.Va./The Linsly School) totaled 46 of Gannon's 53 assists while also recording 11 digs, three service aces and four total blocks.
- Big Defensive Numbers: Four Golden Knights reached double figures in digs as Gabby Beaubrun (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) led the way with 22. Alexis Fowler (Cranberry Township, PA/Eden Christian Academy) followed with 21, Williams collected 15 and Addi Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) added 11 as Gannon finished with 101 digs.
- Strong Start: Gannon hit .245 with 17 kills in the opening set and pulled away late for a 25-19 victory.
- Answering Back: After Clarion evened the match with a 26-24 win in the second, Gannon responded by holding the Golden Eagles to a -.133 hitting percentage in a 25-17 third-set victory.
- Another Tight Finish: Gannon battled back to tie the fourth set at 24-24 on a Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) kill, but Clarion claimed the next two points to force a deciding fifth set.
- Decided in the Fifth: The Golden Knights held a 9-7 advantage in the deciding set following a Williams service ace before Clarion put together the decisive late run and closed out the match 15-10.
Up Next
Gannon has a quick turnaround as the Golden Knights remain on the road for another PSAC West matchup on Saturday, Oct. 3, against Slippery Rock. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Slippery Rock, Pa.
This story was written using the support of AI.
