WVB: Lasers drop two matches against GNAC opponents in tri-match

NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell University women's volleyball team dropped two matches in a tri-match Saturday in Standish, Maine against Saint Joseph's (Maine) and Johnson & Wales. 

The Lasers drop to 8-20 overall and 5-7 in conference. The GNAC front-runner Johnson & Wales improve to 19-4 and 8-0 in conference. The Monks of Saint Joseph's improved to 8-18 and 5-4 in conference.

Saint Joseph's 3, Lasell 0

Sophomore Kiana Perez Diaz (Juncos, P.R.) finished with 10 kills and 15 digs to lead the team in both categories. Freshman Karissa Gaughan (Granby, Conn.) ended with 10 digs of her own. 

For the Monks, the home team hit at a .174 % clip and out-hit the Lasers with 28 kills.

The Monks took the first set 25-22 while the game was close the entire way. The second set was also close. The Lasers jumped out to a 5-0 lead on a service run from sophomore Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.). The home team regained composure to end up tying the set late at 19-19. The Monks ended up taking the second set 25-22.

In the final third set, the momentum was on the Monk's side. They controlled the entire set and won 25-13.

Johnson & Wales 3, Lasell 0

The Wildcats of Johnson & Wales proved their offensive power against the Lasers. Six different players finished with five or more kills.

The first set the Wildcats dominated the whole way through as they finished 25-8. The second set was much closer. The Lasers found themselves up by one at 12-11 before Mario Coniglio (Old Bethpage, N.Y.) went on a service run to take a 17-13 advantage. They closed the set out at 25-17.

In the final set, Lasell kept it close for the majority of the match. At 16-18, sophomore Meg Roberts (Newington, Conn.) notched a kill to bring the Lasers within one. The Wildcats answered with a run of their own to finish the set out 25-20. 

The Lasers will play next on Wednesday, October 30 at Massachusetts Maritime at 7 p.m.

-- 30 --