Volleyball Splits in Regular Season Finale

BABSON PARK, Mass. — The Worcester State University volleyball team concluded its regular season with a split on Saturday afternoon inside Babson's Staake Gymnasium. The Lancers opened the day by defeated Mount Holyoke 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-23), before falling to the hosts from Babson by an identical 3-0 score (25-19, 25-15, 25-12).

Babson, which is ranked fourth in the NCAA regional rankings, improves to 20-8 overall and finishes New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play at 8-2. Mount Holyoke ends its year at 8-15 overall and 1-9 in league play, while Worcester State is now 21-10 on the year. 

Senior Amari King (Lawrence, Mass.) had a strong showing in the Lancers' opening contest of the day, turning in a 15-kill, 16-dig double-double to lead her team the victory. The Lancers impressed at the service line in the opener with 12 service aces, led by junior Stephanie Chapin (Hampden, Mass.) with three. 

Jamesa Allen (Orlando, Fla.) recorded 16 of Mount Holyoke's 32 kills in the match, but her strong showing proved to be not enough, as the Lancers picked up the victory.

In Worcester State's second match of the day, Babson sophomore Allie Puccio (New Hartford, N.Y.) led all players with 14 kills and Miller added 11 in Babson's three-set sweep of the Lancers. Elizabeth Cameron (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) finished with 22 assists, Abby Beecher (Pittsford, N.Y.) had 15 digs and the trio of Shannon Roseen (Malden, Mass.), Puccio and first-year Lauren Gold (Miami Beach, Fla.) recorded three blocks apiece.

Senior Emily Carens (Northborough, Mass.) and Chapin recorded eight and six kills, respectively, to lead Worcester State. Senior Megan Leavens (Storrs, Conn.) led all players with 23 digs and senior Allie Nolan (Melrose, Mass.) finished with 17 assists.

Puccio and Gaby Miller (Miami, Fla.) combined for nine of Babson's 14 first-set kills, and the hosts raced out to an 11-3 lead in game two as Beecher, Cameron, and Miller combined for four early service aces. The Beavers led by as many as 11 in the middle frame and hit .216 as a team. 

The Green and White dominated the third set after running out to an 8-2 advantage. The Lancers cut their deficit to four twice, but the Beavers responded with kills from Puccio and Gold and an ace from first-year Maddie Malee (Orlando, Fla.) as part of a 6-0 run to pushed the lead back to 10.

The Lancers finish the season as the MASCAC regular season champions, and receive a bye to the conference semifinals, set for Thursday evening at John P. Brissette Court. 

#LancerNation

Release courtesy of Babson College Sports Information.