Worcester, MA-The Lancers ventured to Tansey Gymnasium in Boston, Mass. this afternoon to take on Eastern Nazarene College and Wentworth Institute of Technology in a tri-match day in support of Dig for a Cure. The pair of Boston schools provided too tough a challenge for Worcester State, as the Lancers dropped both matches to open their October.
Match One (vs. Eastern Nazarene):
The Lancers dropped their first match of the day to a very talented Lions team three sets to one despite a tough fight. Eastern Nazarene has won six straight now and only lost one of their 14 matches thus far this season. Three of the four sets that were played between the Lancers and Lions were decided by six points or less, with the Lancers taking the first set by a score of 25-21 before dropping the following three.
After the Lions bounced back in the second set to defeat the Lancers 25-12, the third and fourth sets provided drama. In set three the Lancers kept pace with the Lions only to come up two points short, while set four was on Easterm Nazarene's control from the beginning. Once the Lions made the score 3-2, they would not forfeit the lead. Junior Maeve Cadogan (Wilmington, Mass.) and senior Camryn Burgio (Quincey, Mass.) led Worcester State with 20 total attacks each, with Cadogan adding 18 points and 10 kills to her stat line. Meaghan Marcoux (North Smithfield, R.I.) led the squad with a dozen digs.
Match Two (vs. Wentworth)
Things did not get any easier for the Lancers in their second match of the day, as the Leopards of WIT came out strong, winning the first two sets by scores of 25-14 and 25-18. The third game of the set provided some fantastic volleyball action. Throughout the set there was never more than a three-point difference between the two teams. Despite a late game lead of 21-20, the Lancers conceded their lead to the Leopards, resulting in a 25-22 final to complete the three-set sweep.
The Lancers were led by Cassidy D'Esposito (Medford, Mass.) who provided 26 total attacks, and Camryn Burgio who came through with a team-best 15 digs.
Worcester State's record now sits at 3-13 on the season, while Wentworth boasts a 9-7 record, and Eastern Nazarene ends the day at 14-1. The Lancers will make the short trip across Worcester to take on cross-town rivals Clark University Monday Night.