A pair of tough opponents loomed after a 2-0 start for the Clarkson University Volleyball team at the Stevens Ducks Invitational, and while the Golden Knights played well in both matches Saturday afternoon, the Green and Gold came up short against Williams College and Stevens Institute of Technology.

The Golden Knights fell to 15-4 overall on the season with Saturday’s losses, marking the first time in nearly a year that Clarkson has lost consecutive matches.

Versus Williams College, the Knights won the first set, but then dropped three straight in a four-set loss, 18-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-20. Junior outside hitter Sara Artus (St. Regis Falls, NY) hit over .350 in the match, leading the way with 18 kills against five errors in 37 swings. Classmate Megan Mahon (Irvine, CA) nearly matched Artus with 14 kills of her own, while freshman setter Lani Durio (Austin, TX) had 41 assists.

In a five-set loss to Stevens (25-14, 24-26, 22-25, 25-19, 15-9), Artus and Mahon combined for 27 kills and Durio set 37 kills overall.

"The good news is, we have proven that we belong among the region's elite teams," head coach Johan Dulfer said, "but the bad news is that we played the top teams on their home court under tough circumstances and came up short. I know we are disappointed, and I hope that this young team can turn this disappointment into a little payback somewhere down the road."