NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team brought a tenacious fight on Wednesday evening, pushing Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) to the brink in a tightly contested four-set battle before ultimately falling, 3-1, (25-21, 22-25, 20-25, 23-25), in non-conference action at Amsler Campus Center.

Senior Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) matched her career-high with 19 kills to go along with two blocks to pace the Cadets, while sophomore Taylor "Rae" Lawing (Allen, Texas) added a 12-kill, 15-dig double-double.  Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) posted a career-best 30 assists, helping orchestrate a balanced Norwich attack.

Along with Lawing, three other Cadets recorded double-digit digs, led by Cameryn Jenkins (Monroe, Mich.) with 13, followed by Charlotte Johnson (Moultonborough, N.H.) and Kelsey Slane (West Sand Lake, N.Y.) with 12 each.

Norwich jumped out strong in the opening frame, recovering from an early 11-6 deficit with a commanding 14-4 run sparked by kills from Belldina Ray and Jenkins.  The Cadets controlled the tempo down the stretch, fending off multiple MCLA pushes.  Lawing and Belldina Ray delivered key points late, and Parkhurst set up Belldina Ray for the set-clinching kill to give Norwich the early edge.

The second set saw the Cadets build a 7-4 advantage before the Trailblazers surged ahead on a mid-set run.  Norwich clawed back to reclaim the lead at 15-14, highlighted by a Parkhurst kill, but MCLA would ultimately hold on, despite kills from Johnson and Belldina Ray that kept the Cadets within striking distance.

MCLA opened the third set with a dominant 16-2 start and appeared posed to run away, but Norwich stormed back with an 11-3 rally fueled by opportunistic play and Trailblazer errors to close the gap to 23-20.  The Cadets' comeback bid fell just short as MCLA secured the frame and a 2-1 match lead.

With their backs against the wall, Norwich played inspired volleyball in the fourth set, building a 15-10 cushion following a Lawing kill.  The Trailblazers responded with a 4-0 run, but the Cadets answered right back with three straight points off kills from Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.), Johnson, and Belldina Ray.  Leading 23-21, Norwich stood on the brink of forcing a fifth set, but a final late push from MCLA sealed the match for the hosts.

"MCLA had to earn every point," said Head Coach Karin Parkhurst.  "Our team made them work for all four sets."

Norwich will return to Andrews Hall on Saturday, Nov. 8, to close out the 2025 season with a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tilt against Emmanuel College (Mass.).  Prior to opening serve, the Cadets will recognize seniors Bella Belldina Ray, Autumn Parkhurst, and Sarah DeBot (Rochester, N.Y.) in a special Senior Day ceremony.