Lancers Take on Smith and Salve in Weekend Tri-Match Action

Worcester, MA- In one of their last tri-match's of the season, the Worcester State Volleyball team (6-14, 3-2) journey to Salve Regina to face off with the Seahawks and Smith College. 

Final

Worcester State: 0

Smith: 3

Final

Worcester State: 0

Salve Regina: 3

How it Happened:

In the first match action of the day, Worcester State Volleyball showed resilience and endurance over long strong stretches of play despite falling in straight sets to a tough Smith College team (25–19, 25–19, 25–8) on Saturday afternoon at the Rodgers Recreation Center as part of the Salve Regina Invitational.

The Lancers came out strong in the opening set, racing to an early 5–1 lead behind the setting of junior Michelle Iannacito (Bronx, NY) and kills from senior Cassandra Millea (Orange, CT.), first year Reece Connors (Fresno, CA.), and sophomore Katherine Crateau (North Andover, MA.). Worcester continued to battle point-for-point with the Pioneers throughout the frame, holding several advantages before Smith managed a late push to take the first set.

In the second set, Worcester found consistency on both sides of the net. The offense was led by sophomore Beatrice Gamboa-Estrella (Simi Valley, CA), who tallied seven kills and a block, and senior standout Kaitlin Cueva (Tewksbury, MA), who provided an immediate spark off the bench with four kills on an impressive .300 hitting percentage. The defensive effort was anchored by Crateau, who notched a team-high 12 digs, while Millea and Connors combined for steady serve receive and transition passing.

Setter Iannacito continued to run the Lancer attack effectively, dishing out 15 assists and adding two kills of her own. Worcester also got a strong two-way performance from senior Kate Stedronsky (Sea Girt, NJ), who hit .400 with three kills and was a reliable presence in the middle.

Though Smith used a run of service aces in the third set to pull away, Worcester never stopped competing, highlighted by back-to-back kills from Cueva and Gamboa-Estrella to keep momentum alive.

In the second match of the day at Salve Regina Worcester State showed moments of sharp execution and persistent energy despite falling in three sets to host Salve Regina (7–25, 18–25, 12–25).

After a slow start in the opening frame, the Lancers found their rhythm in the second set, trading points early and pushing the Seahawks through several long rallies. Worcester's defensive adjustments, led by senior Jillian Gross (Millville, MA) who finished the match with 8 digs and 2 assists, and sophomore Kaitlyn Anthony (Gastonia, NC)who recorded 4 kills with 4 digs, helped the Blue and Gold gain traction as they held leads and ties through the midpoint of the set.

Offensively, Worcester State saw balanced contributions from across the lineup. Senior Paige Thomason (Hudson, MA) came off the bench to spark the third set with two strong kills, while Iannacito directed the attack with 5 assists and added a service ace to cap her effort. Connors chipped in with 7 digs and a kill, showing solid two-way play, and Cueva  and senior Sara Carter (North Attleboro, MA) each tallied timely kills to keep Worcester in the mix during key stretches.

Defensively, sophomore Rylee Valstyn (Watertown, MA) made her presence known at the net with a solo block, while Anthony and Stedronsky teamed up for another. Worcester's front line continued to challenge Salve's hitters, forcing 11 attack errors across the match.

As a team, Worcester State posted 26 kills and 36 digs, showing depth and energy across the lineup.

What's Next:

Worcester State (6-16, 3-2) is next back in action on Thursday when they host Clark University at 6pm on Brissette Court.