POTSDAM, N.Y.— The William Smith volleyball team extended its winning streak to eight matches with a 3-0 win over Clarkson this afternoon.  With the win, the Herons move to 11-2 on the season with a 2-0 mark in Liberty League play  while the Knights fall to 4-11 and 0-2 in conference play. 
 
The Herons put on their second straight dominant performance combining for 44 kills. William Smith hit .182 as a team while holding the Knights to a collective .069 hitting percentage on 21 kills.
 
Junior Jaylynn McCarthy had a commanding presence on the court, leading the Herons with 14 kills and hitting an impressive .500. She added three aces and a dig. Classmate Malya Sayre had eight kills (.156), three service aces and had 19 digs. First-year Kali Vanderhoof also had 19 digs. First-year Delainy Williams led the team in assist with 34.
 
Marin Hangliter led Clarkson with a total of six kills. Ashley Currier tallied 12 assists in the loss. 

MATCH MOMENTS:

• William Smith got off to a quick start in the opening set, putting down 15 kills (0.342) and only two errors collectively, compared to the Golden Knight's nine kills and five errors. Their consistent offense allowed them to take the first set 25-15.
• The Knights responded well in the second set, but it wasn't enough to slow down the Herons. William Smith held Clarkson to a match-low five kills (-.027) hitting percentage while putting 12 kills on the board. The Herons pulled away with a 25-17 win in set two.
• The Herons continued their momentum in the third set, with a game-high 17 kills. They managed to hold Clarkson to just seven kills (0.108), though they would not back down easily. Set three ended as the closest yet, with the Herons completing their sweep 25-21.

 
MATCH STATS:

• McCarthy led the Herons with a season-high 14 kills (.500) and was followed by junior Hope Von Dohlen who had nine. Sayre had eight and first-year Arielle Newsome had five (.364).
• First-year setter Delainy Williams continued to shine, racking up 34 assists to go along with three kills (.429) and four digs.
• William Smith combined for 61 digs on the night with all nine players registering at least one.  Sayre and Vanderhoof had 19 each. Cydney Fernandez recorded seven digs.
• The Herons combined for eight blocks at the net.

 
COACHES CORNER:
"Today was a great all-around team win," Head Coach Derryk Williams said. "Kali and Malya were both great in the backcourt and Jay was unstoppable!! We dominated in all facets of the game and I'm happy we're coming back 2-0 to start conference play. Cortland on Wednesday is going to be another really tough test but we're excited for the challenge! Go Herons!"

UP NEXT:
William Smith will be back in action Wednesday, Oct. 2 when it travels to Cortland, New York, to take on Cortland in a midweek nonconference matchup. First serve between the Herons and the Red Dragons is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Whitney T. Corey '43 Gymnasium.