FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -  The Norwich University women's volleyball team hit the road for the first time this season on Saturday, taking part in a competitive non-conference tri-match at Framingham State University.  The Cadets dropped a pair of 3-0 decisions to the host Rams and Husson University.

The day opened with a morning tilt against Framingham State, where the Rams claimed a straight-set win (10-25, 8-25, 12-25).  Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) led Norwich with four kills, while Sarah DeBot (Rochester, N.Y.) recorded eight assists.  Charlotte Johnson (Moultonborough, N.H.) registered a pair of blocks, and Kelsey Slane (West Sand Lake, N.Y.) tied for the match-high with seven digs.

Each set followed a similar pattern, with Framingham State opening early leads and steadily building its advantage.  Norwich remained within striking distance in the opening frame, pulling within 15-7 behind a stretch of kills and Rams errors, before the hosts pulled away.  The Cadets showed their strongest response late in the third, trimming a 22-9 deficit to 23-12 behind a Grace Davie (Lynnfield, Mass.) ace and a Belldina Ray kill from DeBot, but the Rams closed the match with two quick points.

In the afternoon match, Husson outlasted Norwich in a tightly contested opening set before completing the sweep, 3-0 (25-27, 9-25, 15-25).

Belldina Ray, Davie, and Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.) each tallied three kills to pace the Cadet offense, while Ray also notched two blocks.  Johnson added three service aces, and Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) led the team with five assists and seven digs.

Norwich battled back from an 11-2 hole in the first set, using a 10-2 run to force a Husson timeout.  The Cadets later took a 20-19 lead and held set point at 24-23 after a flurry of Husson errors, but the Eagles rallied for a 4-1 run to steal the set.

Husson carried the momentum into the second, then fended off another strong push from Norwich in the third.  The Cadets jumped out to a 4-1 lead and later cut a 21-10 deficit down to 22-14, but were unable to complete the rally.

Norwich returns home to Andrews Hall on Friday, Sept. 19, opening Homecoming Weekend with a 4:00 p.m. Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup against New England College.  The Cadets remain home the following Wednesday, Sept. 24, for a non-conference match against Plattsburgh State.