WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Norwich University volleyball team rallied past the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in a five-set nail-biter, 3-2 (13-25, 25-20, 7-25, 25-17, 16-14), in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Tuesday night.

Giovanna Fruci (Wrentham, Mass.) was the catalyst for Norwich's success, owning 15 kills, 11 digs, and six service aces.  Sam Lebruska (Lynnfield, Mass.) logged a team-best 21 digs, while Gina Caraccio (Churchville, Pa.) passed out 30 assists.  Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) also owned double-digit digs with 14.

USJ wasted no time setting the tone early, rushing out to a 12-3 advantage in the first set and rolling to a 25-13 win.  The second set was the opposite, however, as the Cadets jumped to a 9-4 edge and never allowed the Blue Jays to recover.

The Blue Jays scooped up an easy win in the third set, but Norwich again used an early spurt, this time an 11-3 run, to establish control in the fourth set.  Despite a few comeback attempts by USJ, the Cadets held firm, shutting down the Blue Jays consistently to force a final set.

Norwich took a quick lead, opening up a 6-1 advantage, and kept USJ at bay despite the Blue Jays remaining within striking distance.

The Cadets will return home for three-straight games, first kicking off the 2023 Homecoming festivities with a Friday, September 22 duel with Mitchell College at 6:00 p.m. in Andrews Hall.  Afterwards, Norwich will host Emmanuel College and Elms College in a conference tri-match on Saturday, September 30.