WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – In a five-set women's volleyball match decided by 13 total points, Clark University ended a seven-match skid against Eastern Connecticut State University with a 24-26, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-11 decision which lasted two hours and seven minutes.

Clark (2-1) scored four straight points to break an 18-all tie in the fourth set to deciding a decisive fifth set. The Cougars did not trail in the fifth set and led for good after snapping a 4-4 stalemate by scoring three straight points on kills from Shannon Glass-Smythe and Mel Conde sandwiched around an Eastern attack error.

Leading 11-9 in the fifth set, the visitors scored three straight key points, two coming on service and attack errors by Eastern (2-2). The Warriors handed Clark 27 points in the match on serve errors, with the Cougars guilty of 17.

Eastern scored the final two points in take the first set in a game where the Cougars led by a slim margin throughout, with a four-point lead their highest. The Warriors led by as many as six points in taking a 2-0 series lead with the second-set victory.

The visitors never trailed after the opening points of the third set, opening up a lead of as many as five points at the midway point.

Clark, which utilized only one substitute in the match, got ten kills from Savonnah Rowe, nine kills and 19 digs from Glass-Smythe, seven kills from Conde and 18 digs from Kaitlyn Stuck. Rachel Spera collected 22 assists.

Nicki Gasch (New Fairfield) recorded 18 kills and nine digs for Eastern, Katie Wilson (Pittsburg, CA) 16 kills and eight digs, Erynn Miller (Stratford) 17 digs, Allie Henry (Middletown) 33 set assists and Allie Luppi (Tewksbury, MA) four service aces.

Eastern starting outside hitter Danielle Bourne (Branford) left the floor with a sprained ankle midway through the first set and did not return.

The win was only the second ever for Clark in this series at Geissler Gym – first in 34 years. The Cougars had lost the last seven straight at the hands of the Warriors.

Eastern competes in the Trinity College Invitational Friday and Saturday.