CASTLETON, Vt. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team closed out the Vermont Volleyball Classic on Sunday afternoon, falling to Vermont State University Johnson, 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-11), at Glenbrook Gymnasium.
The Badgers jumped in front early in the opening set, scoring the first four points before Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.) and Vanessa Whitmill (Fremont, Calif.) combined at the net for a block to put Norwich on the board.
VTSU Johnson extended its advantage to 12-2, but the Cadets began to settle in behind kills from Elexis Powell (Charlotte Hall, Md.) and Vasapolli. Norwich later strung together three consecutive points, with Vasapolli and Whitmill combining for another block before Vasapolli teamed with Taylor "Rae" Lawing (Allen, Texas) on the next rally to trim the deficit to 15-8.
The Badgers eventually pushed the margin to 22-9 before Norwich mounted its strongest stretch of the frame. Vasapolli delivered two kills, Lawing added another, and Ainslee Vargas (Rusk, Texas) recorded a service ace as the Cadets rattled off six of the next seven points to pull within 22-15. VTSU Johnson responded with the final three points to secure the opening set, 25-15.
Norwich found its footing earlier in the second stanza. Whitmill supplied the Cadets' first kill before Vasapolli struck on back-to-back rallies, giving Norwich its first lead of the match at 8-7.
The Badgers answered decisively, using a 14-point run to turn the one-point deficit into a 21-8 advantage. Norwich stopped the surge and later pieced together three straight points behind a Vasapolli service ace and a pair of VTSU Johnson attack errors, but the Badgers closed out the frame, 25-13.
VTSU Johnson again grabbed the early advantage in the third before Norwich worked back into contention. After falling behind, 10-2, the Cadets scored four straight points, highlighted by a Lawing kill, to pull within 10-6. Lawing struck again on the ensuing stretch to keep Norwich within four at 11-7.
The Badgers then created separation with an eight-point run that stretched the margin to 19-7. Norwich continued to battle down the stretch, receiving a kill from Vargas before Lawing added another finish and a service ace in the closing points. VTSU Johnson ultimately collected the final point to seal the 25-11 set and complete the sweep.
Vasapolli and Lawing paced the Norwich attack with four kills apiece, while Powell added two. Vasapolli hit a team-best .154 and was also active at the net, contributing three block assists and one solo block. Lawing added four digs and one block assist.
Vargas directed the offense with nine assists while adding five digs, a kill, and a service ace. Aylei Connolly (Westfield, Mass.) led the Cadets defensively with seven digs, while Kelsey Slane (West Sand Lake, N.Y.) and Vargas collected five each. Whitmill finished with four digs and two block assists.
VTSU Johnson finished with a 31-12 advantage in kills and hit .278 for the match, while Norwich totaled four team blocks. The Badgers also recorded 15 service aces and held a 41-26 edge in digs.
The Cadets, now 1-3 overall, will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 8, traveling to Plymouth State University for a non-conference matchup.
