Lancers Split the Day at Eastern Connecticut, Grab Win over Bay Path

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Volleyball team remains on the road as they journey to Eastern Connecticut for a tri-match hosted by the Warriors that will see the Lancers face  both Eastern Connecticut and Bay Path in a Saturday battle.

Final

Worcester State: 0

Eastern Connecticut: 3

Final

Worcester State: 3

Bay Path: 1

How it Happened:

The Worcester State volleyball team showed grit and resilience in a doubleheader at Eastern Connecticut on Saturday, highlighted by its first win of the season in a 3-1 victory over Bay Path (25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-20).

In the opener against Eastern Connecticut, the Lancers (1-6) pushed the Warriors in every set before falling 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-21). Worcester State came out firing in the first set, racing to a 6-0 lead behind strong serving from first-year Maggie Luke (Chelmsford, MA), who finished with 15 assists and six digs. Senior Cassidy D'Esposito (Medford, NY)and first-year Reece Connors (Fresno, CA) added early kills to set the tone. The Lancers' presence at the net was felt throughout with seven team blocks, including four from Connors and three from D'Esposito.

On the defensive end, Worcester State totaled 55 digs, led by senior Cassie Millea (Orange, CT) and sophomore Katherine Crateau (North Andover, MA) with 13 apiece. Connors and senior Kate Stedronsky (Sea Girt, NJ) each tallied five kills, with Stedronsky adding two blocks for seven total points. Worcester State nearly stole the third set, using a 7-0 run to erase a deficit and showcase its resilience.

The Lancers carried that energy into the second match against Bay Path. After taking the opening set, Worcester State bounced back from a narrow second-set loss with a thrilling 26-24 win in the third and closed out the match with confidence in the fourth.

Sophomore Beatrice Gamboa-Estrella (Simi Valley, CA) powered the offense with a dominant performance, recording 20 kills on .529 hitting while adding three service aces and 11 digs for a match-high 23.5 points. Connors notched a double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs, while Millea contributed seven kills, 11 digs, and four aces.

Luke once again set the tone, dishing out 27 assists with 11 digs, while Crateau anchored the back row with a team-high 16 digs to go along with five assists. Stedronsky and senior Paige Thomason (Hudson, MA) combined for nine kills and strong blocking, keeping Bay Path off balance.

As a team, Worcester State's serving proved to be a difference-maker with 11 aces, while the defense outdug Bay Path 71-68, fueling transition opportunities.

The victory provides early-season momentum for the Lancers as they turn their focus to a busy non-conference stretch before opening MASCAC play later this month.

What's Next:

The Lancers (1-6, 0-0) have their final road trip before their home opener next Tuesday as they journey south to Rhode Island College for a 6pm start.