WVB: UNE outlasts Lasell in five sets; Perez Diaz posts double-double for Lasers

NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell University women's volleyball team was defeated in a five-set thriller on Thursday night at the Athletic Center against the University of New England. The Lasers drop to 3-8 while the Nor'Easters of the University of New England improved to 8-1 on the season.

Sophomore Kiana Perez Diaz (Juncos, P.R.) ended the match with another double-double with 21 kills and 22 digs. Sophomore setter Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, NY) led the lasers with 31 assists on the night.  Senior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.) and freshman Karissa Gaughan (Granby, Conn.) also reached double figures in digs with 15 and 14, respectively.

The Nor'Easters were solid all around as senior Katie Flynn (Merrimack, N.H.) accounted for 10 of their kills while sophomore Stephanie Erickson (Cumberland, R.I.) led her team with 16 kills.

The first set finished 25-21 in favor of the Lasers. The University of New England put up a tough fight. Late in the set down 20-21, Perez Diaz fired off a swing for a kill to rally the Lasers who went on to win 25-21.

UNE took the second set in convincing fashion ending with an error from the home team. Lasell came back to win the third set in extra points 30-28. From the beginning of the set, both teams battled back and forth. Exchanging points near the end of the set, an error from the Nor'Easters followed by a kill by Perez Diaz would finish off the third in favor of the home team.

The Lasers dropped the fourth set 25-16 and the game entered into a fifth and final set. To begin the fifth, Lasell went down 6-0 and never found their way back into the game. UNE went on to win 15-5.

Lasell will play next in a conference tri-match this coming Saturday September 21, at Simmons College with Regis College in Boston, Mass. The Nor'Easters return to action this Saturday as well, against the University of Maine Fort Kent.

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