Lancers Rally for 3-2 Triumph against Salem State

Worcester State 3, Salem State 2 

Worcester, MA --- Lauren Saylor (Swansea, MA) recorded 18 kills and 15 digs for her fourth double-double this season to help propel Worcester State to a 3-2 victory against Salem State in MASCAC women's volleyball action this evening at the Lancer Gymnasium.

With the win the Lancers improve to 10-11 overall and 3-1 in the MASCAC while the Vikings slip to 6-19 and 1-2 in conference play.

WSC began the match with a solid 26-16 victory in the opening set and looked to close the second set as they led 21-19 before Salem went on a 6-2 run to end the game. Junior Katie McKenna (Beverly, MA) spiked the clinching point for the visitors as they won it 25-23. Clinch

In the third, with the game knotted 14-14 in a close contest, Worcester State took control and went on a 4-0 push to make the score 18-14. The Vikings kept within striking distance and trailed by just two points (21-19) before they outscored WSC 6-0 to take the set 25-21.

With WSC down in the series 2-1, the fourth set was back and forth with no team leading by as many as two points until the Lancers grabbed a 20-17 edge on a 3-0 run. Possession of the ball then continued to switch until Saylor secured the 25-22 victory for the Blue and Gold with a kill. 

In the decisive fifth set Worcester State opened with a 4-0 advantage and continued build it up to 11-6 before three quick points brought Salem Back in the game (11-9). Drama continued to dominate the frame as both teams traded control of the ball until the Lancers won the game, 15-13, on an SSC attacking error.

Sophomore teammates Joanne Grenier (Orange, MA) and Brittany Stoddard (Orange, MA) each put up career-bests of 30 digs and 41 assists, respectively, while freshman Becky Lebel (Millbury, MA) finished with a quiet 7 kills and 9 digs. Saylor's total of 18 kills is a season high.

Salem State was paced by junior Becky Chapa's 17 kills (Westford, MA) while second-year Jazmin Barrows (New Bedford, MA) added 21 digs. Sophomore Brittany Roscoe (Lowell, MA) also notched five blocks for the Vikings.

Worcester State heads to Framingham State in a key MASCAC tri-match that may decide the seedings in the upcoming conference tournament. The Lancers will take on Westfield State at 10 before the Rams at 1 PM. 

SSC is off until Tuesday when they travel to Bridgewater State for a 6 PM start.