WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University women's volleyball team snapped a three-match skid Thursday evening, defeating Becker College 3-0 in non-conference action at John P. Brissette Court. Set scores were 25-20, 25-12, 25-10.
With the win, Worcester State improves to 4-8 on the season. Becker drops its eighth consecutive contest to drop to 5-8.
The teams battled back and fourth in set one, but eventually it was the Lancers would come out on top. Worcester State had a balanced first set attack with five different players recording multiple kills, led by senior Marissa Proia (Framingham, Mass.) with four. Setter Katie Gagnon (Hampden, Mass.) was on fire in the opening set as well, recording 11 assists and nine digs.
The second set was close in the beginning, but after the teams were tied 9-9 approaching the midway point of the set, the Lancers went on a 13-1 run to jump ahead 22-10 and put the set out of reach. Sophomore Natalie Gillis (Ashland, Mass.) took over for Worcester State with seven kills and no errors on eight attacks in the set, with the Lancers hitting at a clip of .433.
Worcester State left no question in the clinching third set, opening the set on a 15-1 run to put the match to bed. Becker slowly crawled back in, but the 14-point deficit proved too much to overcome and the Lancers claimed the sweep.
Gillis finished as the match leader with 17 kills, with seven in each the second and third sets. Senior Stephanie Chapin (Hampden, Mass.) recorded eight kills with no errors on 15 attacks for an attack percentage of .533 to lead all players. The match's only double-double belonged to Gagnon, who finished with 28 assists and 11 digs despite only playing in sets one and two. Junior Madison Kuzio (Franklin, Mass.) recorded 11 digs of her own to serve as Worcester State's co-leader.
Becker struggled for offense throughout the match, recording only 12 kills with 20 errors. Libero Joanna Bampi (Peabody, Mass.) led all players in the match with 18 digs, while senior Gillian Criddle (Earleville, Md.) had a match-high four blocks to pace the Hawk defense.
Worcester State will have a quick turnaround, as the Lancers will face Fitchburg State and Trinity College Friday evening at Brissette Court. Becker will return to action on Saturday with a road trip to New England College.
#WooWVB