Women's Volleyball Downs Hosts in Utica Tournament

UTICA, N.Y. (10/1/16) -- The Lasell College women's volleyball team played four matches at the Utica College Tournament this weekend, earning a five-set victory over Utica in their first of two Saturday contests.

The Lasers came from behind to win the final three sets against the host Pioneers, but finished the tournament with a 5-11 overall record after falling to SUNY Potsdam, Plattsburgh State and Union in straight sets in their other three matches.

Sophomore Olivia Addington (Orange, Calif.) paced the Laser offense with 39 kills on the weekend, including double-digit performances in both Saturday contests. Junior Meredith Eagan  (North Andover, Mass.) chipped in with 12 of her 18 combined kills in Friday's setbacks. Both were named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts.

Addington and junior Michele Canestro (Castleton, N.Y.) swung through 13 kills apiece in the victory over Utica, in which Lasell erased a 2-0 deficit and won the final three sets by 25-17, 25-21 and 15-10 scores. Canestro finished with 26 kills in the tournament.

Junior Taylor Tiezzi (Meriden, Conn.) paced the Lasers in assists in three of the four matches, including 31 in Saturday's victory. She also handed out all 20 of Lasell's assists against Union, finishing the tournament with 71. Junior Lauren Piper (Scarborough, Maine) posted a team-high 11 against Plattsburgh.

Junior Caitlyn Garcia (Moreno Valley, Calif.) continued to lead the Lasers' defensive effort with 56 digs on the weekend. She totaled double-digits in all four matches, including a team-high 16 against Plattsburgh and 14 more in Saturday's victory. Garcia has no fewer than 11 digs in any of Lasell's 16 matches this season.

Lasell returns to Great Northeast Athletic Conference play Wednesday, October 5 against Simmons College. The Lasers' first home match in more than two weeks begins at 7 p.m. in the Athletic Center.