Briar Cliff too much for Pride women's volleyball in tournament opener

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - An early opportunity to move their season record to .500 came up short as the Clarke University women's volleyball team fell in four set to Briar Cliff University 3-1 on Friday night.

The Chargers took the first two sets before CU extended the match in the third as the sets went 25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20 in favor of Briar Cliff. Despite finishing the match with more team kills, the Pride seemed to hinder themselves as they committed 49 errors combined between attacks, serves, receptions, and blocks compared to just 33 made by BCU.

Amber Cooksley finished with the match-high in kills with 14 in the match as Maddy Melvin (11), Rebecca Schroeder (8), Gianna Garza (8), Jaida Kroning (6), and Tori Patnaude (4) had the rest of the 55 team kills in the match.

Briar Cliff had three players in double figures led by Abbie Ericson's 11 kills with Chloe Johnson and Toria Andre each finishing the match with 10 kills apiece.

Clarke will stay in Sioux City for two more matches tomorrow against Waldorf University at 11 a.m. CT followed by a 3 p.m. CT match against Northwestern College.