MCLA Loses MASCAC Opener at Worcester

Senior Joanne Grenier (Orange, MA) recorded 27 assists, 14 digs and a pair of aces to help lead Worcester State to a 3-1 victory over MCLA in MASCAC women's volleyball action this evening at the Lancer Gymnasium.

Both squads split the first two matches with the Lancers (3-5) taking the first, 25-21, and the Trailblazers (2-8) defeating WSU, 25-15, in the second before the hosts won twice by scores of 25-15 and 25-21.

The Lancers were also paced by junior Becky Lebel (Millbury, MA) who added 14 digs and nine kills while classmate Kristen Koles (Billerica, MA) notched nine kills.

For MCLA, senior Kayla Bromback (Lee, MA) hit at a .423 clip (11-for-26) en route to a near double-double with 11 kills and nine blocks. Freshman Brittany Kish (E. Longmeadow, MA) handed out 22 assists while first-year classmates Allie Chang (Northport, NY) and Angelica Perfido (Whately, MA) both registered 14 digs apiece.

In the opening set, Worcester State led 13-4 and 20-12 before the visitors used an 8-0 run to get within two points of the lead (22-20). Lancers though would hold them off for the eventual 25-21 win.

The Trailblazers dominated the second stanza holding commanding advantages of 9-4 and 18-4. The Lancers would slice into the deficit to make the score 22-15, but MCLA scored three consecutive points to even the series with the 25-15 triumph.

The third set would see the Blue and Gold hold leads of 11-8 and 19-13. Worcester State would then tally four straight points for the 23-14 edge and eventual victory.

After WSU posted leads of 14-7 and 20-10, MCLA would mount a furious comeback in the fourth with an 11-3 surge to threaten (23-21), but the Lancers would hold them off clinching the match on an attacking error to defeat the Trailblazers, 25-21.

Worcester State will play their next two games on the road in a tri-match with UMass Dartmouth and Southern Maine on Saturday afternoon in North Dartmouth, MA. The Blue and Gold will face-off against the Huskies in the opener at 2 PM before taking on the Corsairs at 4 o'clock.

MCLA begins a three-game home stand starting with Mount Holyoke on Thursday at 7 PM.