NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team fell in straight sets to Lasell University on Saturday morning in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action at Andrews Hall, dropping the match by scores of 25-12, 25-12, and 25-11.
Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.) led the Cadets offensively with a team-high six kills while adding a block assist. Grace Davie (Lynnfield, Mass.) contributed four kills and five digs, while Ainslee Vargas (Rusk, Texas) directed the offense with 11 assists and added four digs.
Defensively, Davie and Vanessa Whitmill (Fremont, Calif.) shared the team lead with five digs apiece. Kelsey Slane (West Sand Lake, N.Y.) chipped in four digs, while Norwich recorded two total blocks behind assists from Vasapolli, Whitmill, Aylei Connolly (Westfield, Mass.), and Morgan Wilson (Holden, Maine).
Norwich battled evenly through the early stages of the opening set. Kills from Vasapolli and Davie helped the Cadets stay within striking distance, while a Whitmill service ace fueled a brief three-point Norwich run midway through the frame. The Lasers responded with a strong serving stretch, however, building separation before closing out the set, 25-12.
In the second set, Vasapolli and Vargas each recorded kills as Norwich looked to gain momentum. A block from Vasapolli and Whitmill highlighted the Cadets' defensive effort, and a Whitmill service ace helped Norwich trim the deficit later in the set. Lasell's offensive attack proved difficult to contain, though, as the visitors secured another 25-12 victory to take a two-set advantage.
The Cadets showed their strongest offensive output in the third set, collecting seven kills in the frame. Vasapolli, Davie, and Whitmill each provided key points, while Josephine Whitney (Holbrook, Mass.) recorded a service ace early in the set.
Norwich remained within one at 7-6 before Lasell used an extended service run to pull away. Davie added a pair of late kills and Vasapolli recorded another finish down the stretch, but the Lasers closed out the match with a 25-11 third-set win.
Norwich finished with 14 kills, 13 assists, 19 digs, three service aces, and two total blocks in the contest.
The Cadets return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 23, when they welcome Lesley University to Andrews Hall at 6:00 p.m.
