Volleyball Closes Out Regular Season with Non-Conference Win Over Norwich

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The MCLA Volleyball team wrapped its 2025 regular season this evening when it welcomed the Norwich University Cadets into the Amsler Center Gymnasium. After a difficult first set, the Trailblazers rallied back, taking the next three sets to secure a 3-1 non-conference win.

THE BASICS:

• Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

• Score: Norwich 1, MCLA 3
• Records: Norwich University 2-22 (GNAC 0-12) | MCLA Trailblazers 16-8 (MASCAC 5-3)
• Series History: Norwich leads the all-time series 11-7. MCLA took the matchup last season by the score of 3-1 in Norwich on September 14, 2024. The Cadets took the first-ever meeting of the teams 3-2 in Norwich on October 18, 2007.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Norwich took the first set of the night in a set that started out with six ties, before the Cadets could ride a 12-3 run to jump in front and then held on to take the set 25-21. MCLA's first-year outside hitter Kaelynn Greeley (Corona, CA) and Norwich's Rae Lawing each recorded five kills to share the set high. Lawing also had a set high six digs.
• The second set started out much like the first, with the teams swapping points until the Trailblazers rode a five-point service run from sophomore setter Addison Decaro (Eagle River, AK) that included three service aces to take an 11-8 lead. The Cadets put together a run of their own to pull back to even at 15-15, but couldn't advance any further. MCLA finished the set on a 10-7 run and won the set 25-22, leveling the match at one set all. Despite Norwich's Bella Belinda Ray collecting a set high five kills, the Trailblazers registered five service aces, led by Decaro's three.
• MCLA regrouped in the third set, leading from the first point until the last. A pair of kills by Greeley started what would eventually become a 16-2 lead. A 10-point service run from junior setter MaKayla Schuerer (Lee, MA) that included a pair of kills by junior middle hitter Caroline Schmaling (Halifax, MA) highlighted the set. First-year right side Mikayla Howlett (Harwinton, CT) and Schmaling paced the home team with five and four kills, respectively.
• With the momentum backing them, the Trailblazers finished the night with a tight 25-23 set powered by 14 assists from Decaro. Seven kills led the Cadets from Belinda Ray.

STATISTICAL ROUND UP

• Kills: Norwich 50, MCLA 54
• Assists: Norwich 37, MCLA 45
• Service Aces: Norwich 7, MCLA 10
• Digs: Norwich 66, MCLA 58

UP NEXT:

On Tuesday, MCLA will be back in action when they host their first round MASCAC playoff match against an opponent still to be determined in the Amsler Campus Center Gym. The match is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.

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