Worcester, MA- The Lancers spent the Saturday of this Indigeonous People's Day weekend in Western Massachusetts, competing in a tri-match hosted by Smith College. The first match would feature Worcester State and SUNY Oneonta during the middle of the afternoon series, followed by an evening showdown with the hosts, Smith College. The Lancers would go on to drop both, extending their losing streak to six.
Match One (vs.SUNY Oneonta):
Match one featured the Lancers facing their first opponent from New York this season in the Red Dragons of SUNY Oneonta. The Lancers were unable to slay the Dragons, as Oneonta would sweep Worcester State three sets to none.
The Lancers got off to an early 3-2 lead in the first set, but were unable to find themselves on top for the rest of the opening set. Down 15-22, the Lancers attempted to fight back, but their comeback effort came up short as they lost by a final score of 25-20.
The second set saw the Lancers play the Red Dragons tightly, through 15 points Worcester State was down only one point. But SUNY Oneonta was able to pull away after that, commanding the momentum for the remainder of the set, surrendering seven more points in the set to beat the Lancers 25-14.
Oneonta would control the third set right from the get-go, as they got off to an early 4-0 lead and never looked back. The Red Dragons would not allow the Lancers to take a lead at any point during the final set of the match, going on to win 25-16. Junior Maeve Cadogan (Wilmington, Mass.) and senior Gabby Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) led Worcester State with five kills apiece. Both sophomores Angela Colonis (Waterford, Conn.) and Megan Bardis (Rutland, Mass.) recorded 10 aces.
Match Two (vs. Smith College)
The Lancers took on the Pioneers of Smith College following their bout with SUNY Oneonta, and much to their dismay were met with a similar outcome. Smith beat Oneonta in the opening match of the day, so they came into their match with the Lancers with momentum already on their side.
The Pioneers got off to an immediate lead in the first set, starting with a service ace right off the bat. From then on out the Pioneers controlled the set, beating the Lancers 25-12, at one point leading by as many as 14.
Set number two saw the Pioneers continue their dominance on the day. They once again got off to an immediate lead, and then ran away with it; beating the Lancers by double-digits, this time by a score of 25-11.
The Pioneers would complete the sweep in set number three, again in commanding fashion, defeating the Lancers by a final score of 25-14. Junior Maeve Cadogan (Willmington, Mass.) and senior Camryn Burgio (Quincey, Mass.) led the Lancers on the offensive side with 16 total attacks each, while Burgio also led the Lancers with six digs.
After losing both matches today, Worcester State's record now sits at 3-17 on the season, while SUNY Oneonta split on the day to come out at 8-10. Smith College won both matches they played today, positioning them at 16-6. The Lancers are back at it on Tuesday night in conference play when they travel to MCLA.