NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University women's volleyball team picked up its fifth win of the season after a 3-0 sweep over in-state foe Castleton University by scores of 25-14, 25-20, 25-23 on Wednesday night.

The Cadets (5-15) opened the first set with nine straight points for the 9-1 lead before adding three more to the board on a trio of Spartan errors.

Castleton (13-9) rebounded from behind, with three kills before collecting two points off of Norwich's errors to trail by seven, 15-8. The Cadets remained steadfast and collected seven straight points on five kills and two errors to extend the lead 22-8. Castleton would tack on six more but the Cadets would close out the first set with kills for the first point of the match.

Norwich's hot start carried into the second set as the Cadets scored eight straight points, five off of Castleton's errors for the 8-0 lead. The Spartans looked to get back into the contest but stalled its offensive attack, swinging just .138 in the frame, as the Cadets continued to pile on the points, leading by 13 at the 16-3 mark.

Midway through the set, Castleton would take advantage of the Cadets' errors for the five point rally to trail 20-13, forcing Norwich to burn a timeout. The Spartans' offensive attack continued late in the second set, shaving the deficit to just four points, 22-18, before Norwich close out the second set with a pair of Spartan errors for the 2-0 lead.

The third set was a back-and-forth affair that saw the set knotted three times before Norwich took a three point lead for the 22-16 score. The Spartans would close up the deficit with four straight points with a pair of kills of their own along with two Cadets' errors to tie it up at 23-23. Norwich would be fortunate to close the set with back-to-back points for the sweep.

Senior outside hitter Tara Lyons (Pocasset, Mass.) led the Cadets' offensive attack with a team-high 12 kills and two service aces, while freshman setter Emily Oliver (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) collected 27 assists on the night. Juniors Alex Ruediger (Sandy Lake, Pa.) and Kristen Brewer (Hopedale, Mass.) posted nine digs each, while Oliver, Lyons and Ruediger tallied a block solo on the net.

Castleton's Kaylee Pratt (Hampton, N.Y.) led the attack with seven kills for the Spartans, as Cassidy Tedeschi (Pascoag, R.I.) added six kills, seven digs and a block assist on the night. Setter Michaela Babineau (Fitchburg, Mass.) collected 10 assists, while Amanda Chambers (Lake George, N.Y.) came up with a team-high 11 digs.

Norwich will close out the 2015-16 season with a pair of conference matches against Anna Maria College and Mound Ida College on the road on Saturday, Oct. 30. Castleton will begin postseason play next week.