NEWPORT, R.I. -- Visiting Worcester State fell to Salve Regina University 3-0 in a non-conference women's volleyball match on Saturday afternoon at Rodgers Rec. Center.
Salve won by scores of 25-15, 25-8, 25-20 to improve to 4-2 all-time against Worcester State, who had won the last two meetings in the series.
Natalie Gillis (Ashland, Mass.) led the Lancers offense with 10 kills, while also collecting 15 digs for a double-double.
Sarah Ward (Townsend, Mass.) grabbed 18 assists for the visitors while libero Denise Hoxha (Worcester, Mass.) had 19 digs and Worcester State's lone service ace.
Brooke Lamothe (Tewksbury, Mass.) had ten digs for the Lancers. Emily Dardinski (Mansfield, Mass.) added four kills and a solo block.
Salve Regina utilized three setters in the match, led by Katelyn O'Brien (Bridgeport, Pa.) who collected a match-high 19 assists while Courtney Connor (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Siena DeCicco (Severna Park, Md.) each registered nine helpers.
The Lancers led 2-1 in the first set before Salve Regina answered with a 7-0 run to take the lead. Salve would not relinquish the advantage again, leading wire to wire in the second and third sets on their way to the victory.
Salve Regina senior Madison Lee (Dover, Fla.) posted a double-double with a match-high 11 kills and 10 digs. Junior Kate Murphy (Dover, N.H.) led the Seahawks defense with a match-high 24 digs.
Seahawks senior Nicole Karabaich (Greenlawn, N.Y.) notched the Seahawks second double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs.
Salve Regina raced out to early leads in every set. The Lancers battled in the third to try and avoid the sweep trailing only by two, 22-20, but three straight kills for the Seahawks capped by Meaghan Corkery (Saunderstown, R.I.) closed out the match.
Worcester State (5-12) returns home to host MCLA on October 12th. First serve is set for 7:00 PM in that MASCAC matchup.
Salve Regina (9-6, 3-1 CCC) will return to Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action with a road match versus Wentworth on Wednesday, October 13 at 7:00 PM.