WVB: Lasell splits first two GNAC matches; defeats Albertus but falls to Suffolk

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Lasell University women's volleyball team began conference play in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Saturday afternoon by splitting the pair of matches, posting a win against the Falcons of Albertus Magnus, and a loss against the Suffolk University Rams. Lasell started the day with a sweep over Albertus Magnus 3-0 and capped the day off falling just short by a score of 3-2 to the Rams.

With the 1-1 finish on the day, the Lasers are now 1-1 in conference play and have an overall record of 3-7. The Lasers will be in action next Thursday for an out of conference match-up against the University of New England at 7:00 PM in the Lasell University Athletic Center.

Lasell 3, Albertus Magnus 0

Sophomore Kiana Perez Diaz (Juncos, P.R.) impressed again with a remarkable match-high 17 kills, six service aces, and eight digs. Junior Meg Carroll (Douglas, Mass.) contributed to the attack with six kills of her own while sophomore outside hitter Meg Roberts (Newington, CT) added another seven kills and 14 digs. Sophomore Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) commanded the offense with a total of 34 assists.

The Lasers opened up the first set with an early 5-1 lead after a kill and service ace from Perez Diaz. Albertus Magnus applied some pressure and quickly tied it up at 5-5. The Lasers began to take control at 13-12 starting with a couple of kills from Roberts and Carroll. With the set coming to a close, the Lasers had a 24-16 advantage before the Falcons made a run of their own to bring it back to 24-19 before Perez Diaz finished off the set with a kill.

Lasell continued its play in the second set by maintaining a steady lead until an attacking error from the Lasers gave Albertus Magnus the lead at 20-19. The Lasers showed composure late in the set by closing out the Falcons with a service ace from Perez Diaz.

The Falcons came out strong in the third set looking to force a fourth set with the Lasers. The Lasers found themselves at a six-point deficit at 9-15. Point by point, they fought back to take a 22-21 advantage from a Laser's kill. From there on, Lasell closed the set to emerge victorious by a score of 25-22.

Suffolk 3, Lasell 2

In the second conference match of the day, the Lasell University women's volleyball team fell to Suffolk in five sets (21-25, 20-25, 25-19, 27-25, 15-10)

Perez Diaz finished with a match-high 24 kills, the third match in a row as the match-high kills leader. Senior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.) tallied 10 kills and six digs while Roberts and freshman Karissa Gaughan (Granby, Conn.) added 13 and 15 digs, respectively.

The Rams came out on top with a balanced offense with five out of six starters reaching over five kills on the match. Junior outside hitter Hannah Fabiano (Litchfield, N.H.) led the way for the Rams with 16 kills and eight digs. Freshman Kenzley Bell (Lake Park, Ga) rallied the defense with a match-high 28 digs.

The Lasers earned a clean set one victory behind Perez Diaz who notched eight kills alone in this set.

Early on in the second set Roberts gave the Lasers a 15-12 lead. After two service aces from junior Dakhensey Marcellus (Brockton, Mass) the Rams were only down by two at 19-17. A kill from Roberts would eventually end the set, giving the Lasers a 25-20 win.

After Lasell took the first two sets, 25-21 and 25-20, the Rams rallied to win the next three 25-19, 27-25, 15-10. In the fifth and final set. Both teams battled back and forth not allowing the other to secure a lead. A kill by Fabiano tied it up at 7-7. The Rams picked it up from there and stretched out a three- point lead at 11-9. Suffolk didn't stop there as it allowed only one more point from the Lasers and capped off the match with a 15-10 victory.

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