Anna Clithero broke the Colorado College record for career kills as the Tigers split a pair of matches at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference crossover matches on Saturday at Birmingham-Southern College.
The senior outside hitter had 19 kills in CC’s first match against BSC to eclipse the previous mark of 1,457 held by All-American Cathy Costello (1986-89). Clithero added 10 more in the Tigers’ second match to finish the day with 1,470.
Despite the record-setting moment, Colorado College began the day with a 25-19, 22-25, 24-26, 25-13, 15-12 loss to the host Panthers. The Tigers led two sets to one and held a 10-7 lead in the fifth set, but BSC rallied with an 8-2 run to win the deciding set and avenge last year’s five-set loss at CC.
Fortunately, losses to Birmingham-Southern don’t count in the conference standings because the Panthers are still making the transition from Division I to Division III and have former scholarship players on the team.
In addition to her kills, Clithero added 10 kills to complete her 10th double-double of the season. Sophomore middle blocker Emily Perkins had 13 kills, 11 digs and three blocked shots, while freshman setter Amy Schornack had a team-high 15 digs.
The Tigers bounced back in their second match to post a 25-22, 25-19, 25-22 over Hendrix College.
Clithero led the CC attack with 10 kills, while sophomore middle blocker Erika Pirotte had a team-high nine digs.
The Tigers improved to 18-7 overall and 8-1 in the SCAC.
Colorado College will play twice on Sunday, facing Millsaps at 11 a.m. CT and getting a second shot at No. 16 Southwestern at 1 p.m. The Pirates handed CC its only loss in conference play two weeks ago in Atlanta.