(Peru, Neb.) – The Bobcats kept it close throughout, but could never get over the hump as the visiting Clarke (Iowa) Pride swept Peru State Saturday morning in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.
 
The Pride won 25-23, 25-22, 25-22 over the 'Cats.
 
Clarke improved to 22-6 overall with the win and 10-4 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Peru State dropped to 9-16 on the year and 5-8 in conference action.
 
First Set Action
 
As the final score would indicate, the first set was as close as it sounds. There were 12 ties, but only three lead changes as the Bobcats led most of the way until near the end of the set.

 
After the Pride scored the first point, Nadja Janjevic (Podgorica, Montenegro) put down a kill from Darlene Quinonez Holguin (Las Cruces, N.M.). An attack error by Clarke gave Peru State its second point. Taylor Thompson (Norfolk) then had back-to-back kills off assists from Hannah Burianek (Lincoln) and Quinonez Holguin. Clarke would tie it at 5-5 and game would be tied several more times between the teams before the 'Cats broke a 13-13 tie with a kill by Cami Ruiz (Bogota, Columbia) off an assist from Burianek.
 
Peru State would eventually build to a four-point lead at 18-14 after a setter dump by Quinonez Holguin. The 'Cats would continue to hold the lead and still led 22-19 after a solo block by Janjevic. The Pride would tie it up at 22-22, but the Bobcats would regain the lead after a mishit by Clarke. However, the Pride would score the next three points for the 25-23 first set win.
 
Second Set Action
 
Clarke started the second set with three straight points before a kill by Kira Shapiro (Omaha) off an assist from Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) stopped the run. The Pride would extend its lead to 7-2 before Ruiz and Janjevic teamed up for a double block. Peru State would continue to chip away at the lead and eventually tie it at 10-10 after a setting error was called on the Pride.
 
The Pride would go back ahead by five later at 19-14, but a kill from Janjevic off the assist from Burianek, cut the deficit to four. Peru State would later get back to within two at 20-18 after a solo block by Tyra Mollhoff (Lincoln). Once again, Clarke would go up by five at 24-19, but the 'Cats would stave off three set points. Thompson put down a kill from Quinonez Holguin. That was followed by an attack error on the Pride. Then Cudney served up at ace to make it 24-22 which forced a Clarke timeout. The Pride would come back after the timeout with a kill to win the set.
 
Third Set Action
 
It would close again during the third set as there were nine ties and six lead changes. The largest lead was four by the Pride late in the game at 21-17.
 
After trailing for the early part of the set, Peru State tied it up at 11-11 on a setter dump by Quinonez Holguin. Then, the 'Cats took the lead on a Clarke attack error. That, however, would be the only time the Bobcats led in the set as the Pride would rattle off four straight points.
 
Peru State did pull back within two at 20-18 after Mollhoff got a solo block and then later Cudney had a service ace to make it 24-22, but it would not be enough.

CLARKE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Neither team had a high hitting percentage because both teams had some great defensive efforts which extended into some long rallies. Peru State actually hit better than Clarke at .164 to .153, but were out-dug 73 to 71.
 
The Pride finished with five service aces and six errors compared to three service aces and seven errors for the 'Cats.
 
Both teams finished with seven total blocks.
 
Individual Statistics
 
No Bobcat finished in double digits in kills, but Janjevic led the team with eight kills while hitting .375. Thompson and Ruiz each finished with seven kills while Shapiro added five.
 
Burianek led the team with 16 assists while Quinonez Holguin added ten.
 
Quinonez Holguin, Janjevic, and Cudney were each credited with one service ace.
 
Cudney had a game-high 23 digs while Jaspe finished with 16. Quinonez Holguin, Thompson, Shapiro, and Burianek each had six digs.
 
Mollhoff and Janjevic each had two solo blocks while Thompson was credited with one. Mollhoff, Janjevic, Jaspe, and Ruiz each had one block assist.
 
Upcoming Matches
 
The Bobcats have a busy week as they will play four matches – all on the road. Two the contests will be non-conference while two will be in conference play.
 
On Tuesday, Peru State will be heading to Leavenworth, Kan., to face the University of St. Mary in non-conference play. The Spires are presently 18-11 overall and are on a three-game winning streak.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kan., will be hosting the 'Cats on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Heart action. The Pioneers are 8-22 on the year and are 4-8 in conference play.
 
On Saturday, the Bobcats will play two games in Fayette, Mo. They will take on Central Methodist in conference play at 3:30 p.m. The Eagles are 22-3 overall, ranked 21st, and are 10-2 in the Heart. Then, at 5:30 p.m., the 'Cats will take on another ranked team, that being Columbia. The Cougars are 27-2 overall and were ranked third in the most recent poll.