WVB: Lasell posts first win and finishes with split at Keuka Invitational

KEUKA PARK, N.Y. – The Lasell University women's volleyball team posted its first victory of the season Saturday afternoon, and ended up the day with a split of two matches at the Keuka College Invitational in central New York. The Lasers defeated Hilbert College (N.Y.) in the first match, 3-1, but were defeated by host Keuka in the final match of the tournament, 3-0.

The Lasers took the first two sets against Hilbert, 25-21 and 25-19, before the Hawks pulled out a 25-22 triumph in the third set. Lasell put the match away with a 25-15 decision in the fourth set. Keuka capitalized on the home-court advantage in the late match, recording the straight-set victory, 25-18, 25-16, and 25-18.

Sophomore Kiana Perez Diaz (Juncos, P.R.) and sophomore Meg Roberts (Newington, Conn.) led the Lasers against Hilbert. Perez Diaz finished one dig shy of a double-double with a team-high 17 kills and nine digs, while Roberts finished with a double-double, posting 11 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore setter Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) was a strong contributor with six kills and 33 assists and sharing the team-high honor with junior Alysha Rentas (Athol, Mass.) with 14 digs apiece. Sophomore Corina Lombardi (York, Maine) and senior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.) also added five kills each, and DiLeonardo had a team-high four service aces.

Perez Diaz was one kill shy of a double-double against Keuka, Lasell's fourth match in less than 24 hours, as she posted team-highs of nine kills and 15 digs. DiLeonardo finished with seven kills and Roberts and Lombardi chipped in with five winners apiece. Junior Katie Schneider (Covina, Calif.) handled setting duties and recorded 21 assists, and freshman Karissa Gaughan (Granby, Conn.) reached double figures for the first time in her young career with 10 digs.

Lasell (1-3) returns to New England and will play a non-conference match on Wednesday, September 4, at Bridgewater State University at 6:00 p.m.

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