Lancers Fall in MASCAC Semifinal Match versus MCLA

Worcester, MA- The second-seeded Worcester State Lancers (13-14, 6-1 MASCAC) faced off against the third-seeded MCLA Trailblazers (20-4, 5-2 MASCAC) in the conference semifinals where the winner moves on to the MASCAC Championship on Saturday.

The Lancers defeated the Trailblazers in a three-set sweep in their final regular game of the season this past Saturday.

FINAL:

Lancers- 1 (25-10)

MCLA- 3 (25-15, 25-18, 25-21)

RECAP:

FIRST SET: MCLA (25-12)

The first set saw the away team MCLA go up early 12-7. The Trailblazers increased their lead to 10-18 as they kept the pressure on the Lancers right from the first serve. The Lancers battled back to cut the lead to 16-24 before the Trailblazers secured the final point to claim the first set victory.

MCLA's middle hitter sophomore Anais Badio (Las Vegas, NV) had six points with five kills and one assist. Worcester's junior setter Angela Colonis (Waterford, CT) and sophomore outside hitter Cassie Millea (Orange, CT) each had two kills resulting in two points for both.

SECOND SET: MCLA (25-18)

Playing off momentum from the first set, MCLA kept the pressure on the Lancers, mounting a 12-3 early lead. Worcester showed life, fighting back as they were able to cut the deficit to 10-17. 

The Lancers went on a run to make the set 17-23 as the Worcester players were visibly showing passion as their team attempted a major comeback in the semifinals. It was not enough in the second set though as the Trailblazers took the set 25-18.

First-year Beatrice Gamboa-Estrella (Simi Valley, CA) had six points heading into the third set with four kills. Graduate student Camryn Burgio (Quincy, MA) had 15 digs to this point. 

Audrey Melson had seven points with seven kills, while her teammate junior right-side Chloie Garber (Eagle River, AK) had six points with four kills and two sets.

THIRD SET: LANCERS (25-10)

In a crucial third set, both teams were tied 10-10 in the early part of the contest. The Lancers swinging the momentum to their side mounted a 20-14 lead to take control of the set and begin their comeback bid attempt. 

Graduate student middle-blocker Erin Gaffney (Worcester, MA) made her presence felt in this one as she had 6.5 points on six kills and one block assist in her first set of action on the night to help the Lancers claim the third set and cut into the Trailblazers lead. 

Badio continued her game dominance as she was the point leader with 11 heading into the fourth set.

FOURTH SET: MCLA (25-21)

With the Lancers rallying, they were the first to 10 with MCLA on their back with 8 points in what would turn into a back and forth lead swinging fourth set. The game continued in its intensity as both schools were tied 15-15 with the set fastly coming to a close.

The set found itself at a deadlock of 20-20 as Worcester's season was on the line. MCLA took a 23-20 lead with serve as they forced an attack error on Worcester. The Trailblazers finished the job, winning the set 25-21. 

Garber finished the night as point leader on the night (14) with 12 kills. Badio finished the night behind her with 12 points and 11 kills.

Gamboa-Estrella finished as Worcester's leader in points with 9.5 while also having seven kills and two assists. Gaffney was second in points on the Lancers for the night with 8.5, a block assist, and eight kills. 

The Lancers finished their season with a final regular season record of (13-14, 6-1 MASCAC), where they earned a two-seed heading into the postseason.

With the victory, MCLA advances to the MASCAC Championship game where they will play the winner of one-seeded Westfield State and fourth-seeded Framingham State. Saturday, 11/11. The game will be at Westfield if the Owls win, or at MCLA if Framingham pulls off the second upset of the night.