POTSDAM, N.Y. – Clarkson rallied to win the final two sets and the host Golden Knights upset nationally ninth-ranked and previously unbeaten Cortland in a non-league, five-set thriller. Clarkson (14-3) lost the first set, 25-23, won the second set, 25-21, and lost the third set, 25-23, before wrapping the match with 25-21 and 15-9 decisions.

Cortland, now 17-1, had a streak of 58 straight victories versus New York schools snapped with the loss. The Red Dragons' last loss to an in-state opponent came at home versus Elmira on Oct. 13, 2010.

Senior Ashley Coyle (Mt. Hope/Minisink Valley) led Cortland with 15 kills, 19 digs and three aces. Junior Ava Hintz (East Aurora) finished with 15 kills and four blocks and senior Natalie Zacpal (Islip) recorded 10 kills and five blocks.

Junior Aubrey Barrett (Liverpool) totaled nine kills, 10 digs and five blocks. Senior Kristen Guercio (Smithtown/Smithtown East) tallied 49 assists and 10 digs and junior Krissy Silk (Massapequa Park/Massapequa) led the team with 19 digs.

Aishvina Arasu led Clarkson with 19 kills with only two errors in 51 attempts. Victoria Kirkemo finished with 16 kills, 15 digs and three blocks, Lauren Hutchinson had 13 kills and Adrienne Walker added 11 kills and seven blocks. Lani Durio dished out 48 assists and registered 16 digs and two aces.

Cortland used a 6-1 run to break an 9-9 tie in the opening set and take a 15-10 lead. Clarkson eventually rallied to tie the set at 23-23 before the Red Dragons recorded the final two points. The teams basically traded points for most of the second set. With the set tied at 20-20, the hosts scored five of the final six points to even the match at one set apiece.

Clarkson appeared to be on the way to winning the third set easily. The Golden Knights led 18-7 before Cortland mounted a rally and eventually tied the set at 22-22 on a Coyle kill. Coyle also recorded the kill that completed an 18-5 run to give Cortland a 25-23 victory.

The Red Dragons were unable to build on the momentum of their third-set comeback as Clarkson jumped out to a 10-6 lead in the fourth set. The Red Dragons got as close as two points at 20-18 before the Knights put the set away.

Clarkson grabbed a 7-4 lead in the fifth set, but Cortland recorded four straight points and led 8-7 on the changeover of sides. From that point, however, it was all Clarkson as the hosts scored seven of the match's final nine points to claim the victory.

Cortland will compete Friday and Saturday at the eight-team York (Pa.) College Spartan Invitational.