SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Worcester State University women's volleyball dropped three of four sets to Western New England University on Thursday evening at Alumni Healthful Living Center. Set scores were 25-11, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20.
With the loss, Worcester State falls to 3-10 on the year, while Western New England improves to 6-5.
The Lancers struggled in the opening set finding their rhythm. They were unable to come up with a strong enough offense to oppose the Golden Bears. Klea Xhemollari (Worcester, Mass.) and Leelle Tyler (Longmeadow, Mass.) each had two kills in the Worcester State effort.
The Lancers found some momentum in the second set and battled with the Golden Bears. There were eleven tied scores throughout the set, but the Golden Bears ultimately came out on top. Natalie Gillis (Ashland, Mass.) led the attack effort for the Lancers with three kills and a service ace. Xhemollari and Tyler combined for a big block in the Lancers' defensive effort. Gabby Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) and Maeve Cadogan (Wilmington, Mass.) also combined for a block to aid the Lancer defense.
Sarah Ward (Townsend, Mass.) helped put Worcester State ahead in the third set with her four assists and one kill. Three Lancers had service aces in the lone winning set, Denise Hoxha (Worceser, Mass.) and Camryn Burgio (Quincy, Mass.) each had one while Angela Colonis (Waterford, Conn.) had two.
The final set presented a strong effort from the Lancers' offense. Ward and Colonis each had five assists while Gillis had four kills. Hoxha had the lone service ace in the offensive effort from Worcester State. Defensively, Cadogan put up a solo block to shut down a Golden Bears' effort.
Gillis had 11 kills on the night, along with 12 digs, a service ace and a block assist. Ward held strong with 14 assists and picked up five digs. Cadogan led the defense for Worcester state with two solo blocks, two block assists and picked up two kills as well.
Worcester State will return to action on Saturday with a trimatch when they host Fitchburg State and SUNY Delhi. First serve from is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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