Clawson defeated host Lamphere in four sets (26-28, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21) in its conference opener on Thursday.

Alex Verner led the Trojans with 18 kills, nine digs and three aces, and Aliyah Vesper had nine kills and seven digs. Renata Carlesimo finished with 26 assists, and Ava LaMotte had 11 digs.

Jillian Liford had five kills and three blocks, and Charlie Verner also had five kills and three blocks. Hayley Kauffman had three kills and four blocks.

Clawson trailed 24-22 late in the first set, but overcame two set points and rallied onto a 25-24 lead. The two teams then went back and forth until Lamphere held its serve to take the first set 28-26.

The Trojans then led 5-4 early in the second, then built up that lead to 10-4 behind a strong service run by Justice Biddle. Clawson would lead by as many as 10 points that set before evening the match at 1-1.

Lamphere responded with a 5-1 lead in the third, but that advantage would not last long. Clawson rebounded to take a 7-5 lead, which they would not give up for the remainder of the set.

In the fourth set, Clawson was in control with a 21-16 lead, but Lamphere again showed no quit as they narrowed the gap to 21-20. Once again it was Justice Biddle to hold onto the serve for Clawson, building the lead to 24-20, before the Trojans finished the fourth and final set at 25-21.

Clawson improves to 2-3-1 overall, and 1-0 in the MAC Silver.