WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University women's volleyball team fell short in the first match of the season Thursday evening. Clark University won in five sets in the season opener at John P. Brissette Court. Set scores were 25-19, 25-10, 20-25, 26-28, and 15-9.
With the loss, Worcester State falls to 0-1 on the year, while Clark University improves to 1-0.
The opening set was neck and neck through the beginning with 10 tie scores, until the Cougars found their groove. The Lancers battled back but the effort wasn't enough and Clark won the set 25-19. Sofia Scherrer del Llano (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) led the effort in kills for the Cougars tallying five on the set. Leelle Tyler (Longmeadow, Mass.) and Gabby Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) each nabbed three kills for the Lancers.
The second set continued the Cougar momentum. Camille Flurry (Athens, Ga.) led the Cougar offense with 5 kills. While the Lancers fought hard point by point they were unable to take control offensively and fell 25-10 on the set.
The Lancers came back to play in the third set taking control from the beginning. Natalie Gillis (Ashland, Mass.) and Tyler led the Lancer offense with three kills each in the set. The Lancers finished the match with a 25-20 score.
The fourth set saw the Lancers keep rolling in a well fought battle. The Cougars never let the Lancers get more than 4 points ahead. A Camryn Burgio (Quincy, Mass.) kill followed by an attack error from Clark put the Lancers up by 2 points to win their second set of the night.
In the tie-breaking set both teams fought hard but ultimately the Cougars prevailed. Claudia Rivera (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) had the final kill of the night for the Cougars and picked up three others in the final set.
Rivera led all players in the match with 17 kills. Gillis finished the evening with eight kills of her own and 26 digs.
Worcester State will return to action on Saturday when they face Plymouth State for a double header at home. First serve from Brissette Court is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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