NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's volleyball celebrated Senior Day on Saturday afternoon, entertaining the reigning Great Northeast Athletic Conference champions Lasell University as well as league foe Dean College in a tri-match in Andrews Hall.

The Cadets fell to both squads, first dropping a 3-0 decision (12-25, 12-25, 13-25) to the Lasers before the Bulldogs topped Norwich in straight, competitive sets (18-25, 21-25, 21-25) to close the afternoon.

Both Norwich and Lasell went back-and-forth to kick off the opening set, with Norwich trailing by just one, 5-4, early.  The Lasers could not be touched after embarking on a run, however, which carried into the second set despite occasional rallies by the Cadets to keep it close.

A spark by Norwich halfway through the third set brought new life to the hosts, but the Lasers again withheld the Cadets' momentum, claiming victory.

Abby Kanaga (Apopka, Fla.) led the team in kills against Lasell with five, while Ava Nihill (Marshfield, Mass.) dished out 11 helpers.  Giovanna Fruci (Wrentham, Mass.) and Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) tallied seven digs apiece.

The first set against Dean was an affair of runs, as the Bulldogs took an early 18-8 lead before the Cadet offense ignited to cut the lead down to two, 19-17.  They could not overcome Dean's edge, however.

The ensuing second stanza played out much of the same, as the Cadets fought back from an early deficit to eventually knot the frame at 21-all.  Dean seized the deal on four straight points to force the Cadets to a must-win third set.

Norwich captured lightning in a bottle throughout the battle, taking several leads, including a 16-15 advantage at one point.  The Bulldogs would reclaim the lead, forcing Norwich to one last run, but Dean again sealed it, this time claiming victory.

Kanaga again led the team in kills, logging a game-high nine, while Nihill handed out a game-high 23 assists.  Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) racked up five blocks, and Fruci registered 19 digs.

Prior to the start of the Dean game, the Cadets honored and recognized Fruci, Nihill, and Kanaga for their dedication and contributions to the Norwich volleyball program.

Norwich will now head to Elms College on Wednesday, Nov. 6, for a 6:00 p.m. conference tilt in Chicopee, Mass.  The Cadets then close the regular season with a GNAC tri-match at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass., on Nov. 9, first taking on the AMCATS before battling Saint Joseph's College of Maine.