ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Clark College volleyball team delivered a gritty road performance Wednesday night, battling back to defeat Umpqua Community College in five sets (25-23, 19-25, 17-25, 25-22, 15-8) to earn its eighth win of the season.
 
After dropping two of the first three sets, the Penguins found another gear behind a balanced offensive attack and a steady setting effort from sophomore Taylee Wilson, who dished out 29 assists and added four service aces, three block assists, and 11 digs. Her leadership at the net and behind the service line helped Clark swing the momentum late in the match. It was an extra special night for Wilson, who broke both the Clark College single season and career records for assists during the match. A more detailed story about the milestones will follow later this week. 
 
Outside hitter Kylie Miller powered the Penguins with a team-high 12 kills and five block assists, totaling 14.5 points on the night. She was especially effective in the first and fifth sets, where Clark hit .111 and .412, respectively — their best offensive stretches of the match.
 
Freshman opposite Abigail Heberle was also a consistent threat, finishing with 10 kills on 42 attempts and contributing a key point during Clark's decisive fifth-set surge. Middle blocker Mia Hicks-Oliver added nine kills and a pair of blocks, while Araia Lim provided energy off the bench with two aces and solid play in the final frame.
 
Defensively, libero Emelynn Cecil anchored the back row with 40 digs — her best effort of the season — while Kim Saechao added 10 digs and a service ace to round out a complete team performance.  Cecil, also made some history of her own on the night, as she moved into fifth place in Clark history for single season digs and higher up the rankings in career digs.
 
The Penguins' blocking also made a difference down the stretch, as the front line combined for 10 block assists to slow down Umpqua's attack led by Kennedy Baylis Hines, who tallied a match-high 27 kills for the Riverhawks.
 
With the win, Clark improves to 8–16 overall and 4–7 in NWAC South Region play. The Penguins will look to build on the momentum when they return home to host Lane Community College on Friday.

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