WVB: Lasell splits GNAC tri-match; Lasers down Regis after loss to Simmons

BOSTON, Mass. – The Lasell University women's volleyball team split a Greater Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match on Saturday afternoon at Simmons University. Simmons won the first match of the day over Lasell, 3-0, but the Lasers answered with a 3-2 win against Regis College to improve to 3-9 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

Simmons 3, Lasell 0

Despite the loss, sophomore Corina Lombardi (York, ME) had a strong day offensively in the middle as she posted seven kills with no errors. On the defensive end, sophomore Kiana Perez Diaz (Juncos, P.R.) ended with 11 digs for the Lasers.

The Sharks of Simmons University had their way throughout the match with the Lasers. Sophomore Amanda Fortune (Round Rock, Texas) and junior outside hitter Morgan Weeg (Goodyear, Ariz.) each recorded 12 kills to lead the way. Junior libero Morgan Lauvray (Murrieta, Calif.) slowed the Laser's attack with 22 digs of her own.

In the first set, the Lasers fell to a 5-1 deficit behind a Simmons serving run. Lasell fought its way back to a 13-12 Simmons lead but the offense of the Sharks proved too much as they went on another five-point run. Without losing hope the Lasers put together a run of their own and came within two points at 24-22, but a kill by Fortune gave the Sharks the first set.

The second set was all Simmons. The home team found their first lead early in the set at 8-7 and never looked back from there going on to win the game 25-16.

In the third and final set, the Lasers showed some promise as they had a lead late in the set at 18-17 with a kill from Lombardi. Some unforced errors and a Simmon's service ace put the Sharks on top 23-20. An ace from freshman Garbiela Hernandez (San Francisco, Calif.) capped off the game for the home team by a score of 25-20.

Lasell 3, Regis 2

Sophomores Perez Diaz and Juliana Denning (Lathrop, Calif.) led the offense for the Lasers in their five-set victory against Regis. Perez Diaz had a match-high 23 kills while Denning followed with an efficient nine kills while hitting .389%. Sophomore Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) ran the offense with 38 assists for the match.

The Lasers forced an early Regis timeout in the first set after gaining a 6-0 advantage to start the set. The Pride earned their way back into the set to grab a 14-13 lead on a service ace. Both teams went on to trade points until it was locked up at 21-apiece. Sophomore Meg Roberts (Newington, Conn.) tallied three straight kills to give the Lasers a 24-21 lead. A Regis service error gave the game to Lasell.

The Pride went on to win the second set 24-11 behind an impressive attacking performance from sophomore Valerie Whalen (Stoughton, Mass.) who finished the match with 11 kills. In the third set, the Lasers willed their way to a 25-22 win to take the match lead at 2-1.

In the fourth set the score was close the entire way with five lead changes throughout the game. The Pride found themselves down 23-20 but clawed their way back to a 25-23 victory to force a fifth set.

The fifth set was all Lasers to begin. A strong start led them to a 5-0 advantage. The gap proved too large for Regis to recover from. Four kills from Perez Diaz and a couple from Roberts pushed the Lasers to a 15-12 victory over the Pride.

The Lasers will play next at home in the Athletic Center on Tuesday, September, 24 against Framingham State University in a non-conference match at 7 p.m.

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