WORCESTER, Mass. – With a 3-0 victory over Salem State on Wednesday evening at home, the Worcester State University women's volleyball team improved to 6-0 in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play, taking another step towards a home game in the MASCAC tournament.
The Lancers (9-12) have one more conference game, on October 30th at Framingham State, but first will travel to WPI on Saturday for a 1:00 PM game.
Worcester State defeated Salem by scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-18, and was led by seven service aces from Camryn Burgio (Quincy, Mass.) and ten kills from senior Natalie Gillis (Ashland, Mass.).
The Vikings (4-17, 1-5 MASCAC) played Worcester State close in all three sets. Worcester led 16-15 in the opening set before they reeled off the final ten points of the game. That run included a pair of kills and two blocks by Maeve Cadogan (Wilmington, Mass.), who finished with five kills, two solo blocks and three block assists.
With a kill by Danielle Sheehan (Walpole, Mass.), Salem State took a 14-12 lead in set two before Burgio took over the serve and proceeded to serve aces on five of the next six points, wrapped around a kill by Gillis. When the dust settled, Worcester led 19-14 on their way to a 2-0 set lead.
The Vikings put pressure on the Lancers again in the third set, jumping out to a 13-7 advantage. Worcester pulled to within one point at 15-14, and then won eight straight points to seize control of the match.
Junior Gabby Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) racked up seven kills and was in on a block, while Erin Gaffney (Worcester, Mass.) and Angela Colonis (Waterford, Conn.) each were in on three blocks apiece.
Colonis put up 15 assists, while Sarah Ward (Townsend, Mass.) added 8 helpers. Burgio led all players with 12 digs.
Salem had three players co-lead the team with three kills apiece, including Sheehan, Eva Haralabatos (Melrose, Mass.) and Genevieve Kempster (Hopedale, Mass.). Haralabatos led the way with 9 assists and eight digs for the Vikings, who will look to get back on track on Friday when they travel to Lesley for a 7:00 PM first serve.