Saratoga Springs, NY - With 16 aces in the first match and 48 kills in the second match, the Clarkson University Volleyball team ran its offense well for two straight matches as the Golden Knights swept both Bard College and Skidmore College to open the Liberty League slate Friday night.

The Golden Knights moved to 10-3 overall and 2-0 in the Liberty League, keeping their unbeaten streak alive in conference matches and extending it to 32 straight. Clarkson will take on Vassar College and Union College on Saturday afternoon.

"I thought Bard and Skidmore looked much improved from last season and no matches in our league are ever easy," Clarkson head coach Johan Dulfer remarked. "It was a great opportunity for us to continue to work on our court presence. At times we did great and at times we showed why this will be a work in progress. When we fight for every point we are fun to watch. I look forward to seeing more of that determination tomorrow in two more tough matches."

In a three-set sweep against Bard College (25-6, 25-6, 25-13), the Golden Knights served the Raptors to the tune of 16 aces, earning about one of every five points with an ace in the match. The Raptors also struggled against the Clarkson defense as the team hit negative .241 with only eight kills against 21 errors. Conversely, Clarkson's offense was efficient as Kirstie Shurie set up 26 of the team's 29 kills. Danielle Farabee hit .467 with a team-best nine kills while Victoria Kirkemo added six kills and five aces. Aishvina Arasu had five kills on just nine swings and also delivered four aces and Lauren Hutchinson had five kills with only one error in 10 attempts.

Against Skidmore (25-23, 25-9, 25-17), the Thoroughbreds came out strong, but Clarkson's offense averaged 16 kills per set (48 total) in the three-set victory and was able to quickly dispatch Friday's host team. Shurie averaged nearly 12 assists per set (41 total) as Arasu hit .560 in the match with 14 kills and just a single error in 25 attempts, while Kirkemo matched her with 14 kills. Farabee hit .429 with 10 kills and only one miscure in 21 swings to go along with her 4 block assists. Tara Stilwell was strong in the back row with 19 digs.