NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Despite a valiant rally to claim the second set, the Norwich University volleyball team fell to Plymouth State, 3-1 (14-25, 25-21, 13-25, 17-25), in non-conference action on Tuesday evening at Andrews Hall.

Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.) led the Cadets in kills with nine to go with nine digs.  Gina Caraccio (Churchville, Pa.) posted a team-best 14 assists, while Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) anchored the offense at libero with 22 digs.  Sam Lebruska (Lynnfield, Mass.) also added double-digit digs with 10.

The Cadets enjoyed early leads in all four sets, rushing out to a swift 2-0 edge in the first set before the Panthers struck with six in a row.  Norwich stayed within striking distance, keeping it to within six as both teams crossed double-digits before Plymouth State took control.

Norwich kept the Panthers at bay in the second set despite Plymouth State owning a 9-6 lead early on.  The Cadets would take a slew of three-point leads multiple times throughout the set before kills from Ells and Leah Mathewson (North Chelmsford, Mass.) and a service ace from Lebruska gave Norwich a five-point lead.  Despite four points from the Panthers, the Cadets stood firm en route to claiming the second set.

The third and fourth sets were not as kind to the Cadets, however, as Plymouth State surged to fast leads after overcoming Norwich's early advantages, ultimately taking down the Cadets in both sets.

Norwich will now hit the road for their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener on Saturday, traveling to Saint Joseph's College of Maine for a tri-match with the Monks and Anna Maria College at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., respectively.