Norwich University

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team fell, 3-0, to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Wednesday evening at Andrews Hall. The Blue Jays earned the conference victory by set scores of 25-23, 25-17, and 25-12.

Aylei Connolly (Westfield, Mass.) led the Cadets offensively with a team-high five kills while adding two service aces, five digs, and a block assist. Ainslee Vargas (Rusk, Texas) directed the Norwich attack with 11 assists while recording a double-double with 10 digs. Vargas also added two kills and two service aces.

Vanessa Whitmill (Fremont, Calif.) contributed four service aces and three digs, while Taylor "Rae" Lawing (Allen, Texas) chipped in three kills and two block assists. Kelsey Slane (West Sand Lake, N.Y.) added nine digs, and Elexis Powell (Charlotte Hall, Md.) finished with two kills for the Cadets.

Norwich totaled 16 kills, 14 assists, eight service aces, and 31 digs in the match. The Blue Jays held a 40-16 advantage in kills and hit .239 as a team while collecting 11 service aces and 49 digs. 

The Cadets battled throughout a competitive opening set. After falling behind, 17-10, Norwich mounted an impressive seven-point run behind the serving of Whitmill, who delivered three service aces during the surge as the Cadets erased the deficit and tied the frame at 17-17.

Norwich continued the push after the Saint Joseph timeout, as Lawing delivered a kill to even the score again at 18-18 before the Cadets moved ahead, 19-18, on a Blue Jay attack error. Saint Joseph responded to reclaim the advantage, but kills from Connolly and Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.) helped Norwich stay within striking distance. The Cadets pulled within 24-23 on another Saint Joseph attack error before the Blue Jays secured the final point to take the opening set, 25-23. 

Norwich jumped out to an early advantage in the second set, highlighted by a combined block from Lawing and Connolly and a Vargas kill that put the Cadets ahead, 3-1.

Connolly added a pair of kills in the frame, while Vargas and Whitmill each delivered service aces as Norwich continued to battle. Saint Joseph gradually created separation and built a 22-11 advantage before the Cadets mounted a late push. Powell supplied a kill, Connolly followed with a service ace, and Vargas added another finish late in the frame, but the Blue Jays closed out a 25-17 set victory to move ahead, 2-0. 

Saint Joseph raced out to a 5-0 advantage in the third before Norwich answered. A kill from Grace Davie (Lynnfield, Mass.), a Lawing finish, a Vargas service ace, and a Connolly kill helped the Cadets work their way back within one at 7-6.

The Blue Jays answered with an extended run to regain control, building an eight-point cushion midway through the frame. Vasapolli and Powell each added kills for Norwich, while Connolly delivered another service ace, but Saint Joseph maintained its advantage down the stretch and completed the sweep with a 25-12 decision. 

Saint Joseph was paced by Shaye Harris with eight kills, while Jetzabelle Rivera Diaz tallied seven kills and four service aces. Gabriella Wanner orchestrated the Blue Jay offense with 30 assists as Saint Joseph improved to 6-7 overall and 1-3 in GNAC action. Norwich moved to 1-9 overall and 0-5 in conference play. 

The Cadets will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 3, traveling to Boston, Mass., for a tri-match hosted by Emmanuel College (Mass.) at the Jean Yawkey Center. Norwich will first face Massachusetts Maritime Academy in a neutral-site contest at 12:00 p.m. before meeting host Emmanuel in GNAC action at 2:00 p.m. Emmanuel and Massachusetts Maritime will open the day's action at 10:00 a.m.