NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team delivered its most complete performance of the season on Friday evening, pushing Elms College to five sets in a back-and-forth Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) battle inside Andrews Hall. Despite a spirited effort and a season-best statistical showing, the Cadets came up just short in a 3-2 (20-25, 25-16, 16-25, 25-15, 12-15) defeat during their third annual Dig Pink Rally.
Multiple Cadets turned in standout performances across the board.
Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) led the offense with a match-high 19 kills, while
Charlotte Johnson (Moultonborough, N.H.) added 10.
Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) recorded a 15-dig, 11-assist double-double, and
Sarah DeBot (Rochester, N.Y.) posted a career-best 20 assists. Four Cadets reached double-digits in digs, led by
Cameryn Jenkins (Monroe, Mich.) with 19.
Grace Davie (Lynnfield, Mass.) and
Kelsey Slane (West Sand Lake, N.Y.) followed with 17 and 10, respectively.
Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.) racked up five blocks defensively.
Norwich opened the match with early control, building a 9-3 advantage before the Blazers rattled off nine consecutive points to flip the frame. The Cadets stayed within striking distance and tied the set four times, including a 13-all knot off a Belldina Ray kill, but a 5-0 Elms run proved decisive. Norwich responded with a pair of points late, including a kill from Belldina Ray off a Parkhurst feed, but the visitors closed out the opener.
The second set saw Norwich reclaim momentum. After an early back-and-forth, four straight Cadet kills, including two from
Taylor 'Rae' Lawing (Allen, Texas) and two more from Belldina Ray, gave Norwich a 14-10 lead. The Cadets continued to separate from the Blazers, maintaining a lead through efficient attacking and consistent defense, stretching the margin to nine points on three occasions. Johnson closed the frame with a kill from a DeBot helper to even the match at one set apiece.
In set three, Norwich again started strong with multiple two-point leads, but Elms responded with a steady run to take control. The Blazers led 21-12 before the Cadets pieced together a 4-1 stretch, featuring two DeBot service aces and another Belldina Ray kill, but Elms responded with three unanswered points to close out the frame and regain the edge.
Facing a 2-1 deficit, Norwich responded with urgency in the fourth. A 10-3 opening lead quickly ballooned to 16-5 behind a series of composed rallies and opportunistic swings. Elms managed a brief 4-1 run to narrow the margin to eight, but a service error followed by a Davie kill secured the fourth set and forced a decisive fifth.
The Cadets carried the energy into the final frame, jumping out to a 4-1 lead and holding a 7-4 advantage before Elms responded with six straight points to take the lead. Norwich answered again, stringing together three points to tie the match at 10-10. With the teams deadlocked at 12-12, Elms closed out the set and match with three final points, escaping Andrews Hall with the narrow victory.
The match also marked Norwich's annual Dig Pink Rally, held in partnership with The Side-Out Foundation to raise awareness and support for individuals impacted by metastatic breast cancer. Now in its third year, the Cadets' Dig Pink match has grown into one of the program's signature events. Prior to first serve, players participated in a special pre-match ceremony, where carnations were distributed in tribute to those who have been lost, those still fighting, and those whose stories inspire courage and resilience.
Following the match, the team hosted a post-match Serving Challenge, inviting spectators to participate in a team-led contest to win prizes and contribute to the effort. The Cadets and Blazers also donned pink warm-up shirts and shoelaces to further support the cause.
Norwich will return to action next Saturday, Oct. 11, for a GNAC tri-match at Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish, Maine. The Cadets will face Rivier University at 1:00 p.m., followed by the host Monks at 3:00 p.m. Norwich will then return home for a non-conference match against Salem State University on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 11:00 a.m.
