WVB: Lasers knock off Emmanuel in GNAC match-up; DiLeonardo notches 22 digs

BOSTON, Mass. – The Lasell University women's volleyball team defeated the Saints of Emmanuel College in four sets (3-1) Wednesday night as they travelled to Boston for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) match. 

The Lasers improve to 6-13 and 3-2 in conference play. The Saints drop to 5-12 and 1-4 in conference.

Senior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.) led the team on both sides of the net totaling 11 kills and a game-high 22 digs. Sophomores Kiana Perez Diaz (Juncos, P.R.) and Meg Roberts (Newington, Conn.) added 16 and 11 kills, respectively.

The home team had three players with seven kills each; Marissa Cataldo (Melrose, Mass.), Anna Caristi (North Attleboro, Mass.), and Emma Fenton (Monument Beach, Mass.).

Every set in the match was decided by four or fewer points. The first and fourth sets both went into extra points where the Lasers had the edge.

The first set was tight the entire way with both teams exchanging points. Tied at 26-26, an attacking error from the Saints gave Lasell a one-point lead. Perez Diaz closed out the set with a kill to win 28-26

Lasell jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second set but Emmanuel would come back with a run of their own. Later in the set at 22-19 the Lasers seemed to find a sense of control and took the set 25-21 which was the largest margin of victory in the match.

The third set was tight for the duration of the set, but the home team managed to force a fourth set with a 25-23 win.

In the fourth and final set, again the score was tied late at 24-24. An attacking error from the Saints set the visiting Lasers up for the game. Lasers' setter Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) found Perez Diaz for a kill from the outside to end the match.

The Lasers will play again this coming Saturday, October 12 in a home tri-match against Colby-Sawyer College and Manhattanville College. The Saints play again Thursday, October 10, at MIT at 6 p.m.

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