09/04/2008
Volleyball Sweeps Anna Maria in Season Opener

WORCESTER, MASS. 09/4/08 - The Clark University women's volleyball team opened its season with a 3-0 sweep of Anna Maria College in non-conference action on Thursday evening at the Kneller Athletic Center. Game scores were 25-8, 25-13, 25-13.

Junior transfer Maritza Fair (Bronx, N.Y.) paced the Cougars with six kills. First-year Kristin McGinty (Gypsum, Colo.) had five kills and four service aces, while newcomer Kortney Kelley (Cummaquid, Mass.) finished with four digs to lead Clark defensively. Rookie Nichole Lopez (Alameda, Cali.) contributed with 16 assists in the game.

In the opener, a string of 13 straight service points from Lopez gave the Cougars a 19-5 advantage. The first-year setter had help along the way, as Fair hit a pair of cross-court spikes to make it 14-5 and 19-5, respectively. Clark went on to win the game, 25-8.

The Cougars jumped out to an early lead (14-8) on an ace by Emily Visone (West Hempstead, N.Y.) in game two. Anna Maria mounted a brief comeback, but the host team pulled away for the 25-13 victory.

Clark took the third and final set, 25-13.

Junior Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) led AMC (0-1) with 15 digs, while Jacqueline Laham (Westwood, Mass.) chipped in with five.

Clark will face Worcester State College in the Worcester City Tournament on Saturday (10 a.m.). Anna Maria will host a tri-match with Newbury College and Albertus Magnus on the same day at 11 a.m.