SALEM, Mass. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team endured a pair of non-conference setbacks in a Saturday afternoon tri-match, falling to host Salem State University in five sets (25-14, 27-25, 9-25, 19-25, 14-16) before dropping a contest to the University of New England (21-25, 14-25, 14-25) at the Richard O'Keefe Center.

Against the Vikings in the afternoon's first tilt, Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) was the dominant force, racking up a team-high nine kills, followed by Giovanna Fruci's (Wrentham, Mass.) six kills.  Cameryn Jenkins (Monroe, Mich.) paced the team in digs with 23, while Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) handed out 13 assists.

The Cadets enjoyed early success, but could not close out Salem State despite a valiant effort in the final set.

Norwich's best success against the Nor'easters came in a back-and-forth affair in the first set, where the Cadets maintained a 21-19 advantage before the University of New England closed off the set.

Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.) led Norwich in kills with three while logging 10 digs.  Parkhurst was again the team's leader in assists, this time with five.

Norwich will hit the road for another non-conference tilt, this time heading to Plymouth State University on Tuesday, Sept. 10, for an evening showdown.  The Cadets will then host their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 14, hosting Regis College for their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener before closing the tri-match by battling the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.