WVB: Lasell drops two conference matches against GNAC powerhouse Rivier and Norwich

NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell University women's volleyball team dropped a pair of Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matches on Saturday in the Athletic Center against Rivier University and Norwich College.

The Lasers drop to 7-17 overall and 4-5 in conference after the two losses. 

Rivier 3, Lasell 0

The Raiders of Rivier University came into Saturday's match with a 15-5 overall record and a 5-1 record in conference. The visiting team didn't slow down much against the Lasers, posting a victory in the first match of the day. (25-14, 25-14, 25-19)

Sophomore Kiana Perez Diaz (Juncos, P.R.) highlighted the attack for the Lasers with eight kills to go along with nine digs.

The first set was held close up until 6-6. The Raiders went on a nine-point run to extend their lead to 15-6. The Raiders maintained control of the set and finished out with kills from sophomore Sydney Recevicius (Woodbury, Conn.) and senior Taylor Dunster (Sutton, Mass.).

The next set was similar to the previous. Lasell kept it close in the set until 11-8. The visitors finished the set on a 14-6 run.

In the final set, the Lasers cut a Rivier deficit to 15-10 with a kill from Perez Diaz. At game point for the Raiders, Lasell managed to earn a few points to come within 5 at 24-19. Rivier would go on to close the set with a kill from senior Sunny Foglia (Remsenburg, N.Y.).

Norwich 3, Lasell 2 

The Lasers came out strong in their second match of the day against the Norwich Cadets. The set was neck and neck throughout the first half of the set. At 14-12, the Lasers started to pull away. Kills from senior sophomore Meg Roberts (Newington, Conn.) and Perez Diaz helped separate the home team. Tied at 25 all, senior Kelly Cappitella (East Haddam, Conn.) produced a service ace to go up one. An error from the visiting team would end the set 27-25 Lasers.

 In set two, Lasell found a way to counter the offense of the Cadets. A kill from sophomore Juliana Denning (Lathrop, Calif.) gave the Lasers a 17-12 lead. The home team continued to roll from there as they finished off the set with a 25-20 victory.

 With their backs against the wall, the Cadets began the third set with urgency. They jumped out to a 11-4 lead with a service ace from Olivia Brown (Rye, N.H.). A kill from Perez Diaz brought the Lasers within 5 at 15-10. The visitors picked it up from there, they closed the set on a 10-5 run to win 25-15.

 The fourth set started in favor of the Cadets. They gained a 9-4 lead after a six-point run. The Lasers fought back to bring it back to 13-9 with a kill from Perez Diaz. A kill from Michele Zummo forced a Lasell timeout at 21-17. Norwich ended the fourth set with a kill from Kathryn Farnum (North Andover, Mass.).

 The home team dominated early in the fifth set to lead at the switch and went up 9-4. Norwich would go on to score six unanswered points to take a 10-9 lead. The Cadets went on to win 15-12.

 The Lasers will look to defend their home court on Tuesday, October 22 against Southern Maine at 7 p.m.

-30-