(Peru, Neb.) – On Saturday, October 16, Clarke University would come to the Al Wheeler Activity Center and earn a 3-1 victory over Peru State. The Pride improved to 12-13 overall and 9-5 in the Heart of America Athletic conference.
 
Peru State fell to 4-23 overall and 2-11 in conference play.
 
In the first set the Pride would come out and score the first three points of the set to lead 3-0. The run would end when Michelle Beer (Salem) got a kill off the set from Cassie Davis (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
 
Clarke would rattle off another 3-0 run to lead 6-1 before Paige Crouch (Holton, Kan.) would earn a kill off the assist from Davis.
 
Peru State would go on a 2-1 run off a kill from Davis and a kill from Dawson Shaman (Sidney) off the set from Hannia Rios (Toa Baja, P.R.) as this would cut Clarke's lead to three at 7-4.
 
The Pride would go on another 4-1 run to lead 11-5. Clarke would not trail from this point on as they would win set number one of the best of five series 25-20.
 
The Bobcats would score first in set number two off a kill by Haley VanLeuvan (Elgin, Ore.) from the set by Rios. Two straight points by Clarke saw the lead change hands as the Pride would lead 2-1 at this point.
 
Clarke would go on an 8-4 run to lead 10-5. Clarke would not trail from this point on as the closest the 'Cats would get would be one point away from tying the game up twice at 14-13 and 15-14. Clarke would go on to take a 2-0 lead in the match with a score of 25-21.
 
The first two points of set number three would go to Clarke as they would have a quick 3-1 lead. Peru State would get on the board on a miscue by the Pride. The 'Cats would go on a 4-0 run to take the lead 5-3 in the set. The points came off a kill by Crouch off the set from Cheyenne Birkle (Holden, Mo.), a service ace by Beer, another kill by Crouch this time coming from Davis, and error on Clarke.
 
Once Peru State took the lead there was no looking back in the third set as they would not trail the remainder of the set. The largest lead the Bobcats would get would be six at 22-16. The 'Cats would go on to win the third set 25-22 but would still trail 2-1 in the best-of-five match.
 
Clarke would score the first point of the fourth set, but Peru State would score the next three points to lead 3-1. The points would come off a kill by Beer, an error on Clarke, and a kill by VanLeuvan on the set from Davis.
 
Two straight points by Clarke and the game would be all tied up again. In the early part of the game no one would be able to pull away from each other as the game would be close.
 
Clarke would be able to score four straight points after Peru State would tie it at 11. The Pride would lead 15-11 at this point. Clarke would not trail from this point on as they would go on to win the fourth set and win the match 3-1 after a 25-22 set win.
 
Stats
 
Birkle would lead the team with two service aces. Mattie Nichols (Auburn), Beer, Rios, and Alyssa Bock (Plattsmouth) each were credited with one service ace.
 
Crouch, Alexandra Chavarria (Hollister, Calif.), and Sharman each had eight kills.
 
Davis led the team with 18 assists while Rios added 14 assists.
 
Birkle had game-high 29 digs with Bock adding seven digs of her own.
 
Ace Swadogo (Omaha), Beer, Chavarria, and Sharman each had one block assist.
 
Career Accomplishments
 
Birkle passed 1.000 digs in her career and currently sits at 1,013 and counting.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will be on the road as they take on MidAmerica Nazarene University (10-15, 5-7) in Olathe, Kan., on Friday, October 22. On Saturday, October 23, the 'Cats will face #4 Park University (19-2, 12-0) in Parkville, Mo.