Lancers Sweep Salem to Open MASCAC Play

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Volleyball team hosted their first conference game of the season, welcoming Salem State to Brissette Court on Tuesday night, where they swept the Vikings in a 3-0 game.

The Lancers took the lead early and ran with it in the first set, only allowing 2 points to their 16 and forcing the Vikings to take two time outs. Sophomore Cassidy D'esposito (Medford, NY) had strong attacks from the beginning to rack up points for Worcester. The Lancers hardly gave up any mistakes, winning the set 25-6.

Salem State held a closer game in the second set, with Abigail O'Connor (Gilford, NH) of Salem State blocking Lancer hits and keeping the game within battling distance. Worcester State still took the set as their teamwork and communication were top notch and allowed them to outplay the Vikings with a number of good rallies and solid serves from behind the line.

Junior Angela Colonis (Waterford, CT) had 16 set assists to gain points for the Lancers throughout the match with seven being added in the third set alone. Sophomore Kate Stedronsky (Sea Girt, NJ) had a big kill mid third set to put the Lancers up 14-6, and shortly after Senior Jess Rancourt (Grafton, MA) served an ace. The third set ended 25-14, giving Worcester the sweep in their first conference win of the season. Though the Lancers did battle it to a 3-1 victory over Westfield this past weekend, that was an out of conference match, meaning the Lancers will be due for a re-match later this season.

Stedronsky was solid on defense racking up four block assists on the day while graduate student Camryn Burgio (Quincy, MA) was her digging pro again, recording 24 in the game. Senior Maeve Cadogan (Wilmington, MA) was an ace on attack, recording 8 kills on 11 total attacks to end the night with a .727 percentage.

Worcester State moves to (6-8, 1-0) on the season as Salem moves to (4-5, 0-1). The Lancers next take on Rivier and Wentworth on Saturday, September 30th at Wentworth.