Worcester, MA- The Lancers hosted two matches today two complete their opening weekend at home. Worcester State faced off against Trinity College and the University of New England in a Saturday showdown. They fell in the first set 3-0 (25-14, 26-24,25-18) to Trinity and came away with the victory in the second match of the day 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-23, 25-20).
The first game of the day saw Worcester a slow out of the gate with Trinity opening up a quick 6-2 lead before they were able to steady the rhythm of the match. Angela Colonis and Maeve Cadogan worked to keep the set close by consecutive 5 point runs by Trinity quickly putting the first set out of reach. The second set saw Worcester State ready to put the pressure on with services by Camryn Burgio, Cadogan and Megan Bardis allowing the Lancers to stay close on Trinity's heels. A late run with points by Colonis, Meaghan Marcoux and Emily Dardinski nearly had the match won before Trinity squeezed out the final two points to close it out. The final set was a true back and forth battle with both teams scoring off aces and errors after marathon games that set the ball crossing the net multiple times before either team could score a point. Ultimately Trinity managed to prevail, closing out the final set with four straight points to take the match.
Burgio led the team with 32 total attacks in the match with 11 kills, a game leader on both sides of the net. Marcoux pulled up 15 digs and two service aces in the match.
The second set of the day saw the Lancers take on the Stromin Norman's of UNE where they came away with their first victory of the season. UNE came out strong in the first forcing Worcester State into a number of unforced errors in the first set. Worcester State fought their way back into the set but ultimately the initial score difference was too much to overcome. The second set saw a complete turnaround in the Lancer squad with them rattling off points and forcing UNE onto the defensive. Colonis' service rally in the middle of the set helped to put the match out of reach for UNE, even after a late set surge seven unanswered points closed the gap in the lead. Each team built off the momentum of the game to battle it to a tight finish in the third set with a back-and-forth match. Worcester State held their positions well and forced UNE into multiple errors that ultimately helped them close out the set with a two-point lead.
The final set had Worcester comfortably moving towards victory before a wave of UNE pressure managed to cut their lead. Worcester State held it together through the long day and managed to push through to a four-set victory over UNE.
Burgio was again the player to watch in the match with 35 total attacks, 12 kills and 22 digs in the match.
The University of New England moved to 1-5 on the season, as Trinity moved to 2-1. The Lancers now sit at 1-6 and return to action on Tuesday September 13 at 7pm to open MASCAC conference play against Westfield College.