NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team stepped out of conference play on Wednesday evening, falling in straight sets (16-25, 14-25, 8-25) to visiting Plattsburgh State University in a midweek matchup at Andrews Hall.

The Cadets showed bright moments on both sides of the ball, led by Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) with a team-best six kills.  Grace Davie (Lynnfield, Mass.) powered from the service line with four aces, while Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) dished out eight assists.  Cameryn Jenkins (Monroe, Mich.) anchored the defense with seven digs.

Norwich opened the first set with confidence, turning an early 3-1 deficit into a 7-4 lead behind a flurry of three consecutive aces from Davie.  Plattsburgh responded with a seven-point run to swing the momentum, but the Cadets stayed close, drawing even at 13-13 on a Belldina Ray kill.  The Cardinals closed the frame with another late surge to take the opener.

The second set followed a similar script, as Norwich once again jumped ahead 7-4 before Plattsburgh turned the tide.  The Cadets capitalized on several Cardinal miscues to remain within reach, trimming the deficit to 17-13, but another Plattsburgh run sealed the set.

Plattsburgh controlled much of the third frame, building a 13-point lead before the Cadets found a spark.  Norwich battled to the finish, notching kills from Belldina Ray and Jenkins, a shared block assist between Jenkins, Belldina Ray, and Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.), and a Vasapolli service ace to keep the energy alive.  The late rally came up short, however, as the Cardinals secured the sweep.

Norwich returns to conference play this Saturday, Sept. 27, closing out the month with a tri-match at Regis College in Weston, Mass.  The Cadets will face the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) and the host Pride at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.

The team will return home on Friday, Oct. 3, for their annual Dig Pink Game against Elms College at Andrews Hall.  In partnership with The Side-Out Foundation, Norwich will raise awareness and support for patients with metastatic breast cancer during the program's Parents & Family Weekend matchup.