WVB: New-look Lasers fall to WPI in season opener

WORCESTER, Mass. – The new-look Lasell University women's volleyball team got its 2021 season underway Tuesday evening, putting up a strong effort before going down to defeat against host WPI, 3-1, in non-conference action at Harrington Auditorium.

WPI, playing its fifth match of the season (5-0), won the first set 25-16, but Lasell held its own in the second set, leading 21-19 before falling 25-23. The Lasers rallied from an 8-1 deficit in the third set, battling back to tie the score at 19-all before pulling out a 25-23 verdict to cut the team deficit to 2-1. Lasell led the first half of the fourth set before WPI came back with a 12-2 run to take control before closing out a 25-17 triumph to clinch the match, 3-1.

The Laser line-up featured 10 freshmen and one sophomore among the 12 players who saw action. Freshman Tori Scambray (Brea, Calif.) made a strong impression in her collegiate debut, making a team-high 12 kills with a .333 attack percentage, while classmate Sabine Milton (San Mateo, Calif.) posted seven kills with a .312 attack percentage. Freshman Juliana Medini (Roxbury, N.J.) registered four kills and a team-high three blocks.

Newcomers Hope McFall (Bellingham, Wash.) and Mckenna McCool (Loomis, Calif.) recorded 15 and 12 digs to pace the Laser backcourt contingent. Freshman setter Emily Cerasini (Buena Park, Calif.) and senior setter Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.), the lone veteran in the Laser line-up, finished with 17 and 10 assists, respectively.

Senior Amanda Wetmore (Hudson, N.H.) led the winners with 16 kills and 13 digs, the only Engineer to reach double figures in those categories. Sophomore Paige Garland (Nashua, N.H.) added nine winners and junior Catherine Reynolds (Concord, N.H.) was good for 28 assists.

Lasell plays again this Saturday in a tri-match at New England College in Henniker, N.H., along with the University of Southern Maine. WPI hosts Dean College Thursday at 7 p.m.

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