Potsdam, N.Y. - November 14, 2015 - The Springfield College women's volleyball team was defeated in straight sets by Clarkson University on Sunday afternoon in the NCAA Division III Championship Sweet 16 by the scores of 25-23, 25-14, 25-18.

Playing the NCAA Regional Championship for the third time in the past six years, Springfield concluded its remarkable season with a 31-4 record, tying the fifth-best win total in program history.  Clarkson improves to 30-8 and will play in the NCAA Division III Championship Quarterfinals on Thursday in Grand Rapids, Mich.

For their efforts all weekend, Lauren Holt (Granby, Conn.) and Kayleigh Helgesen (Oceanside, Calif.) were named to the All-Tournament Team.  Holt led the Pride with seven kills on eight errorless swings to go along with five blocks, while Elise Brogan (Andover, Mass.) had seven kills and three blocks in her final collegiate match.  Hannah Lozano (Stockton, Calif.) had nine digs and Kerry Purcell (Massapequa, N.Y.) totaled three aces. 

Springfield earned an early 8-6 advantage after Helgesen hammered a ball in transition, but the two teams would trade points back and forth until the hosts took a two-point cushion of their own at 16-14, forcing Springfield into its first timeout of the afternoon.  Consecutive Springfield blocks evened things back up at 16 apiece, but the hosts answered with a 5-1 run to open up a 22-17 lead.  The Pride showed plenty of resolve and put together a 6-1 surge of their own, highlighted by a pair of Purcell service aces, however, Clarkson benefited from a Springfield attack error and their 15th kill of the frame gave the Golden Knights the 25-23 win. Springfield was held to just a .026 hitting percentage in the game.

The Pride established its middle early in the second set, opening up a 6-4 lead after a big swing from Brogan.  Clarkson answered with seven-straight points to earn a 11-6 advantage and used aggressive serving kept Springfield off balance the entire set. The hosts led by as much as 13 and was unstoppable in the frame, hitting at a .444 clip en route to the 25-14 win.

Springfield raced out to an 8-5 lead to begin the third set following consecutive Clarkson hitting errors.  As they did the entire match, the Golden Knights used their serving to get back into the set, pouring on five-straight points, but a block from Holt and Helgesen put Springfield on top, 13-12.  That would be the last time Springfield would lead this season, as Clarkson's offense, which registered 17 kills in the frame, closed out the match on a 13-5 surge en route to claiming the regional title in front of their home crowd.