NORTHFIELD, Vt.—The Norwich University volleyball team dropped a non-conference loss in straight sets to Division-II opponent Saint Michael's College in Tuesday evening's in-state battle. With the loss, the Cadets fall to 4-16 overall, while the win boosts the Purple Knights 9-5.

Game scores were 25-13, 25-13, and 25-16. The Purple Knights dominated play in both the first and second games, but the Cadets shocked the visitors in the third set by winning the first four points of the game on strong service by senior Jennette Chartrand (Poestenkill, N.Y.).

The game could have favored the Purple Knights even more had the Cadets not controlled the digs column. Powered by a match-high 17 digs by sophomore Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.), the team totaled 62 digs, which ties the team's season-high in a three-set match. The Cadets also totaled 62 digs in their 3-0 win against the University of Saint Joseph on Oct. 5.

In addition to Hershberger, the Cadets also saw 13 digs from junior Corinne Baita (Rochester, N.H.) and 11 by Chartrand.

Offensively, the Cadets were led by sophomore Tara Lyons (Pocasset, Mass.) and junior Kelsey Mancini (Lynnfield, Mass.), who totaled seven and six kills, respectively.

The Purple Knights, who were able to work 14 players through the lineup throughout their night, saw a match-high 10 kills from Kelsey Flaherty. Lindsay Phenix added eight kills, while Chelsey Covitz contributed seven. Jess McLeod and Catie Weller split time setting and churned out 16 and 11 assists, respectively.

The Saint Michael's defense was paced by Natalie Moore with 12 digs. Flaherty totaled eight digs, and McLeod added six. Phenix totaled three blocks for the Purple Knight defense, while Brianna Saunders and Candace Washington both finished with two.

Norwich totaled 23 kills and 21 errors to total at .019 hitting percentage. Saint Michael's totaled 33 team kills with just 12 errors in 112 attempts to hit at 18.8 percent.

The Cadets will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 19 as they welcome St. Joseph's College of Maine and Emmanuel to Andrews Hall for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference tri-match. The Cadets will play at 12:00 and 4:00 p.m., while the two visiting teams will battle each other at 2:00 p.m.