Clark and Armstrong power Blue Devils over Concordia, 3-2

Lawrence Technological University

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Kasey Clark (SR/Sacramento, CA) breaks her own Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) record with 35 kills as Lawrence Tech volleyball defeated Concordia University (Mich.) 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-12, 15-13) in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Oct 8. Clark's previous record was set in her first season as a Blue Devils with 32 kills against Spring Arbor University (Mich.).

Lawrence Tech (8-12, 4-8 WHAC) jumped out to an early 13-9 lead following a Concordia service error. However, the Blue Devils would give the Cardinals five of the next six points on attack errors. Lawrence Tech stayed in the set as they tied at 18, 20, 22 and 23, but fell 25-23 as Concordia scored two straight points.

In set two, the Blue Devils continued to take the early lead as they went up 9-6 following three Clark kills and one from Alisha Stidam (FR/Barrie, Ontario CAN). The Cardinals fought back, taking a 16-15 lead before Lawrence Tech sealed the set on a 9-6 run, highlighted by three Mary Armstrong (JR/Lakeland, MI) kills.

Trailing 2-1 in the match, the Blue Devils responded by taking 10 of the final 12 points in set four, including four consecutive kills by Armstrong to win the set, 25-12 and even the match.

The fifth set was a seasaw battle as the teams tied at 6-6, 7-7, 9-9, and 10-10. But late in the set, LTU scored three of the final four points, including the game-point on a Clark kill to give the Blue Devils the win.

Armstrong finished the match tying her career-high with 20 kills, a feat she reached on against the University of Windsor (Ont.) last season. She led the team with a .359 hitting percentage. Clark has now finished a match with 20 or more kills three-straight times, including a program-best 35.

Autumn VanKirk recorded 19 kills for the Cardinals, while Claire Truskowski added 39 assists.

The Blue Devils now travel to Madonna University (Mich.) for the two-day Crusader Classic, starting on Friday, Oct. 10 at 2pm against No. 19-ranked Georgetown College (Ky.). LTU faces Rochester College at 6pm that evening before facing off against Bellevue University (Neb.) and Grand View University (Iowa) on Oct 11.