LYNDONVILLE, Vt.—The Norwich University volleyball team dropped a close 3-2 non-conference match to Lyndon State College on Tuesday evening, despite a career-high 18 kills by sophomore Tara Lyons (Pocasset, Mass.).

With the loss, the Cadets fall to 2-12 on the season, while the win boosts the Hornets to 5-6. The win marks the first time in eight tries that the Hornets have defeated the Cadets.

After falling 27-25 in the first set, the Cadets rallied to win games two and three by commanding scores of 25-17 and 25-14. The Hornets kept it close in the fourth set and edged Norwich 25-22 to force a fifth deciding set. The Cadets trailed by seven points in the final set at 9-2, but rattled off seven-straight points to even the score at 9-9. The Cadets were unable to claim the lead though, and the Hornets took the 15-11 win to seal the match.

As a team, Norwich totaled a season-high 57 kills and 90 digs. In addition to 18 kills, Lyons also recorded 14 digs to complete the double-double. Kelsey Mancini (Lynnfield, Mass.) also churned out an impressive evening, totaling 16 kills, 13 digs, and a career-high eight solo blocks. Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.) led the team defensively with a career-high 20 digs and added 12 kills for the offense. Junior Alex Palmer (South Windsor, Conn.) dished out 38 assists in her first appearance as a setter.

Lyndon State saw a team-high 11 kills from Morgan Diltz, who also recorded 18 digs. Joy Piper totaled seven kills and 18 digs, while setter Gwyneth Stahl dished out a team-best 21 assists.

As a team, Norwich totaled 19 service aces, led by a team-best five from freshman Rebecca Gibson (Milford, N.H.). Hershberger and senior Jennette Chartrand (Poestenkill, N.Y.) both finished the match with four.

The Hornets trailed Norwich in all categories except in attack percentage, which proved to be the deciding factor as the Cadets totaled 39 hitting errors to Lyndon State's 15. Norwich totaled a .099 attack percentage, while the Hornets posted a .132 attack percentage.

Norwich will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 5 as the team hosts Lasell College and the University of Saint Joseph in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference tri-match. The Cadets will play at 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.