Putting itself several sets ahead with a yeoman-like effort, the Clarkson University Volleyball team suffered a five-set heartbreaking loss to Union College and then backed that up with another five-set defeat at the hands of Vassar College as the Golden Knights finished the Liberty League season with a mark of 9-3.

The losses dropped the Golden Knights to 19-10 overall and 9-3 in conference games. Clarkson will enter the Liberty League Tournament as the two seed. Clarkson fell to Union in the opening match 22-25, 11-25, 25-21, 28-26, 15-10, its first loss to the Dutchwomen since 2011. The Knights then dropped a five-set decision to Vassar 14-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 18-16, marking the first regular-season sweep against the Brewers since 2004.

In the first two sets against Union, the Golden Knights were cruising along on offense, hitting .420 (29-3-69) and getting little resistance from the Dutchwomen up front. Clarkson always seemed to find another gear when necessary, scoring the final five points of the first set (25-22) and rolling to a lopsided win in the second (25-11). However, that gear stalled in the next three sets as Clarkson struggled to keep the ball off the net and between the lines, recording 20 unforced errors on the attack. In the fourth set, the Knights had three match points, but couldn't come through with the finishing point, and in the fifth Union led through most and ended with an unlikely victory.

Rachael Aird recorded 23 kills, including a line of 10-1-16 in the first two sets, and five total blocks, while Rachel Reusch contributed 15 kills and a .433 hitting percentage with five blocks. Katrina Lane added in nine kills with three blocks to close out the offensive highlights. Jillian Saenz had 52 assists and 12 digs, while Kate Isaksen (28), Sophia Holms (11) and Sierra Rhoades (10) each tallied double figures for digs. For Union, Kat Moeller had a match-high 31 digs while Ally VanDoren (15 kills), Emma Sprotbery (13 kills), Alyssa Bonesteel (11 kills) and Morgan Clark (10 kills) produced on offense. Amanda Price also added 41 assists and 10 digs.

Coming off the five-set defeat against Union, Clarkson quickly shot out with a near-flawless offensive effort versus the Brewers, striking 16 kills with no errors in 36 attempts (.444). Vassar was undeterred, however, winning the second set with a strong offensive output of its own (13-3-31, .323). The Brewers appeared ready to take the third set with a two-point lead late (20-18), but Clarkson scored six straight points to put Vassar on the brink and finished things off just two points later. Vassar rallied to take the fourth set, and set number five proved to be just as much of a seesaw as the first four. The teams traded points almost throughout, but Clarkson gained a two-point edge (14-12) late. The Knights had four match points, but couldn't put the Brewers away, and Vassar scored the final three to end the contest.

Rachael Aird produced 18 kills with a .333 hitting percentage, while Katrina Lane kicked in 11 kills and nine digs. Rachel Reusch hit .375 with nine kills and Maddie Bredehoeft also tossed in nine kills. Jillian Saenz scored seven kills, 45 assists, two aces, and six digs. Leading the way defensively, Kate Isaksen had 23 digs and Sophia Holms chipped in 12 digs. For Vassar, Devan Gallagher had 26 kills and Jane McLeod produced 20 kills. Sierra Tobin had 23 digs, and Annie MacMillan had 58 assists.