LYNDONVILLE, Vt. - The Norwich University volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss (22-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15, 15-17) to intrastate foe Vermont State University Johnson in the Vermont Volleyball Classic on Friday evening at Vermont State University Lyndon.

Abby Kanaga (Apopka, Fla.) paced the way behind nine kills, while Sam Lebruska (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.) just trailed with eight apiece.  Gina Caraccio (Churchville, Pa.) was the anchor, tallying a game-high 28 assists in her collegiate debut.

Both the first and second sets followed similar trends, as the Cadets and Badgers repeatedly exchanged leads before VTSU Johnson escaped with a handful of straight wins.  Norwich held off the Badgers in the third set, before coasting to a fourth-set win behind a 7-0 run to force a fifth match.

Despite a 14-12 lead after an Aylei Connolly (Westfield, Mass.) kill, the Cadets could not prevent a 5-1 spurt by the Badgers, who broke a 15-all deadlock to claim victory.

Norwich will look to pick up a pair of wins on day two of the Classic on Saturday, Sep. 2, taking on the host Hornets at 10:00 a.m. before battling Vermont State University Castleton at noon.