From Brandeis University Athletics

In their first road contest of the season, the Brandeis University volleyball team stormed back from two sets down to defeat host Clark University in five sets. 

Set scores were 22-25, 18-25, 25-23, 25-12, 15-7.

TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis: 5-2.
• Clark: 7-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars got off to their hot start with excellent attacking, hitting .262 compared to the Judges' .181.
• Clark used a 6-1 run with the opening set tied at 13-all to take a 19-14 lead and they hung on for the 25-22 win. In the second set, the hosts jumped out to a 6-2 lead and never trailed again in the set, winning 25-18.
• In the critical third set, Clark ran off a five-point run midway through that turned a 9-7 deficit into a 12-9 lead on the serve of Cameron Gill.
• Brandeis answered with a 5-0 run of their own on the serve of junior Arianna Jackson (Lewis Center, Ohio/Oletangy Orange) that featured two kills and a block by classmate Lara Verstovsek (Houston, Texas/Episcopal). The last kill put the Judges ahead, 17-16.
• The teams traded points and runs until the set was tied at 23. Brandeis took a one-point lead on a service error by Clark and extended the match, 25-23, on a block by Verstovsek and Jackson.
• In the fourth and fifth sets, the Brandeis offense found its rhythm, with 19 kills and just three errors in 36 attacks for a .444 hitting percentage. In the fourth, they hit .348 (11 K-3 E-23 TA) before a terrific eight kills without an error in 13 attacks in the fifth for a .615 hitting percentage.
• The Judges scored 10-straight points on the serve of rookie Olivia Nirode (Keller, Texas/Keller) to turn a 7-7 tie into a 17-7 lead en route to the 25-12 win. In the final set, Brandeis won 10 of the last 12 points to close things out, 15-7.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Verstovsek tied her career-high with 23 kills in the match, with 12 errors in 53 attacks for a /206 hitting percentage. It was her second career match with more than 20 kills.
• She also had 11 digs for her fourth double-double of the season.
• Sophomore Anna Ertischek (Montgomery, Texas/Lake Creek) had 13 kills and four errors on 30 attacks for a .300 hitting percentage, her fourth of the season in seven matches.
• Senior setter Ines Grom-Mansencal (Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming) had 33 assists and four kills without an error in seven attacks for a .571 hitting percentage.
• At the net, Jackson had eight blocks (three solo) as the Judges posted a season-high 12, as three other players were in on at least three.
• A balanced defense had 60 digs, led by rookies Alexis Pohlmann (St. Louis, Mo./Rockwood Summit) and Nirode with 13 and 12 each, while Verstovsek added 11. Nirode also had a team-high three service aces.