Volleyball Goes 2-4 To Open Season at Regis Pride Invitational

Weston, MA --- Worcester State went 2-4 this past weekend at the Regis Pride Invitational to open their 2010 campaign. On Saturday the Lancers lost to Rhode Island College and Framingham State while they had an afternoon victory against Suffolk. On Sunday, the Blue and Gold closed out the day with setbacks to Assumption and WPI before they ended the tournament with a win against the Pride.

A strong effort was put up by a pair of freshman teammates. This weekend Meg Brown (Dartmouth, MA), who was named to the all-tournament team, averaged 8.6 kills (52) and 6.6 digs (40) with four solo blocks while Shawna Strazzere (Billerica, MA) handed out an eye-popping average of 7.3 assists (146). Sophomore Becky Lebel (Millbury, MA) also added an average 6.6 kills (40) and five service aces.

Worcester State will play a non conference road match tomorrow at Simmons at 7 PM as a warm-up to Sunday's Worcester City Tournament. The Lancers look to get revenge against Regis Tournament champions WPI as they will face the Engineers at 11 AM in the opening round at Assumptions Laska Gymnasium.

Game Summaries

Rhode Island College 3, Worcester State 0  ---  Box Score

The Lancers lost in three straight sets 25-13, 25-13 and 25-20 as Brown and senior Brittney Ledoux (Nashua, NH) each added four kills in the setback. Fourth-year Michelle Maass (Halifax, MA) recorded three kills and 10 digs while Strazzere and sophomore Jodi Hallett (Gill, MA) combined for 18 assists.

WSU had trouble at the front of the net as they were whistled for nine blocking errors in the loss.

Worcester State 3, Suffolk 1 ---  Box Score

Brown recorded her tournament-best of 16 kills with 12 digs and three solo blocks while Strazzere ended with 42 helpers as the Blue and Gold defeated Suffolk 3-1 to even out their record. WSU won the first two sets 26-24 and 25-23 before the Rams took the third, 28-26. Worcester State won match with a 25-17 victory in the fourth set.

Lebel ended the contest with eight kills, three aces and two solo blocks while Maass nothced 10 digs. Freshman Vicki O'Brien (Canton, MA) put up 15 digs as she also tacked on a pair of aces.

Framingham State 3, Worcester State 0 --- Box Score

In the first of their three matchups this season, Worcester State lost by narrow margins of 25-19, 25-15 and 25-19 in straight sets. Brown and Lebel each had nine kills in the setback while Strazzere dished out 24 assists. O'Brien and Maass also combined for 16 digs.

The Lancers will get cracks at the Rams again in October in MASCAC play and at the BSU Quad Classic at the end of the regular season.

Assumption 3, Worcester State 0 --- Box Score

In the loss, the Greyhounds dominated the first set 25-6 before Worcester State woke up and played two more close defeats at 25-23 and 25-16. Brown was the standout as she finished with team highs of eight kills and six digs. Junior Joanne Grenier (Orange, MA) and O'Brien combined for nine digs as Ledoux accounted for five kills.

WPI 3, Worcester State 0 --- Box Score

The Engineers who swept through the tournament with a perfect 6-0 record defeated the Lancers 25-14, 26-24 and 25-20. Lebel had a team-high seven kills while junior Kristen Koles (Billerica, MA) and Brown combined for 10 kills. Strazzere added 18 assists while Brown and O'Brien each amassed six digs apiece.

Worcester State 3, Regis 1 --- Box Score

Brown and Lebel shined as they each ended the match with 10 kills apiece to help the Blue and Gold end the tournament with a triumph. Both teams split the first two sets (25-22, 22-25) before Worcester State took the last two 25-17 and 25-23. Koles and junior Katey Figella (Feeding Hills, MA) also added nine kills each in the win.

Strazzere recorded 34 of the teams 40 assists while Maass and Brown combined for 20 digs. Ledoux had three aces and Figella totalled two solo blocks and a block assist.

The Lancers overcame nine service and ball handling errors to post the victory.