HARTFORD, Conn. and NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team saw action in two different gymnasiums against two different competitors on Saturday morning and afternoon, first dropping a three-set affair at Trinity College (15-25, 8-25, 19-25) before falling in a back-and-forth four sets at Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Mitchell College (25-23, 24-26, 14-25, 15-25).

At Trinity's Ray Oosting Gymnasium, the Bantams rushed out to early dominant leads in the first and second sets, withholding a late Norwich run in the opening stanza.

The Cadets thrived in the third set but could not seal the deal despite seven kills in the frame.

Giovanna Fruci (Wrentham, Mass.) found herself all over the stat sheet, racking up team-highs in service aces and blocks with five and two, respectively, while tying Abby Kanaga (Apopka, Fla.) and Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) in digs with seven.  Kanaga and Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.) paced the team in kills with four each, and Ava Nihill (Marshfield, Mass.) tallied 12 assists.

Taking on Mitchell for the Mariners' Senior Day at the Yarnall Athletic Center, Norwich embarked on a hot and swift start, earning an 8-3 lead to assert dominance and corral a lead that would never be relinquished.

The second set was not as favorable for the visitors, as Mitchell overcame a 24-21 match-point scenario to secure the second set on five straight points.

Norwich remained close throughout the third set, but a run at the halfway point by the Mariners granted them the momentum needed to assume the edge in sets.  Despite a strong challenge by the Cadets in the fourth, Mitchell held strong, claiming victory.

Katie Finn (Peru, N.Y.) led Norwich with nine kills, while Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) owned two blocks.  Nihill maintained the game-high in assists with 28 helpers, and Ells rounded out her night with 25 digs.

The Cadets will step back into GNAC action for the rest of the regular season, heading to New England College on Tuesday, Oct. 29, for a 6:00 p.m. midweek clash.  Norwich then returns home for Senior Day, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2, with 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. duels against Lasell University and Dean College, respectively.