POTSDAM, N.Y. – RIT sophomore outside hitter Liv Benard totaled 19 kills and nine digs, but it was host Clarkson earning a 3-1 (14-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-15) victory over the Tigers in Liberty League play, Saturday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Trailing, 5-4, in the first set, RIT put together a 7-2 run, including a pair of kills by sophomore outside hitter Samantha Cox, to take an 11-7 lead. Clarkson pulled back within two, 11-9, but the Tigers rode a 7-1 run, including two Benard kills, to an 18-10 lead. The Golden Knights scored the next three points, but RIT won seven of the final eight points to earn the opening set win.
• RIT opened an early 11-6 lead in the second set, before Clarkson came back to take a 13-12 lead. The Tigers responded to take a 17-14 lead, but Clarkson again answered with a 5-0 run for a 19-17 edge. Clarkson later broke a 21-21 tie with three straight points and, after RIT fought off two set points, clinched the second with a two-point win.
• Clarkson led, 9-3, early in the third, later building a 14-5 edge. RIT pulled back within six, 14-8, but Clarkson retook a 19-9 lead which proved insurmountable.
• The Golden Knights opened a 7-1 lead in the fourth, later taking a 14-5 lead. The Tigers clawed their way back within three, 15-12, but Clarkson finished the match with a 10-3 run to seal the win. 

MATCH NOTES

• Cox finished with 12 kills, followed by grad student middle blocker Calista Gasper with seven.
• Junior setter Sydney Neff compiled 41 assists and a pair of service aces.
• Junior middle blocker Grace Phelan checked in with five kills and six blocks (five assisted).
• Junior libero Hailey Blixt led the way with 16 digs, followed by junior defensive specialist Jessica Klein's 15. 

WHAT'S NEXT
RIT will host Liberty League foe William Smith on Wednesday (Oct. 12) at 6:00 p.m.