Lancers Top MCLA to Move to 4-0 in MASCAC Play

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Worcester State University women's volleyball team defeated MCLA 3-1 in Tuesday night's Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) match-up at John P. Brissette Court.

The win, by scores of 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, improves the Lancers' record to 6-12, and keeps them perfect in conference play at 4-0. The Trailblazers fall to 7-8 and see their league mark even at 2-2.  

Senior outside hitter Natalie Gillis (Ashland, Mass.) turned in her seventh straight double-double, leading all players with 19 kills while collecting 19 digs. Her classmate, Sarah Ward (Townsend, Mass.) also accomplished the feat, pairing her 20 digs with 16 assists.

Chloie Garber (Eagle River, AK) and Reagan Scattergood (Rhinebeck, NY) had 15 kills apiece and each had double-digit digs for their own double-doubles on the MCLA side of the court. Scattergood also had four service aces and a pair of blocks.

In the first set, Lancers got out to an early 4-1 lead before MCLA made a quick 3-point turnaround to tie it up at 4-4. Both teams traded points until the Lancers broke out to a 13-8 margin. They would hold the lead for the rest of the set to a final score of 25-22.

Set number 2 was closely contested with numerous lead changes. The teams were tied at 15 before the Lancers pulled away to finish the set 25-21.

The Trailblazers did not make it easy on the Lancers in the third set, using an 8-5 run to take a 16-13 lead on their way to a 25-22 win. In the fourth and final set, it was another back and forth affair with Worcester State ultimately outlasting the Trailblazers 25-20.

Six different Lancers registered double-digit dig totals. Along with Ward and Gillis, Denise Hoxha (Worcester, Mass.) had 15 digs, while Angela Colonis (Waterford, Conn.) had ten digs along with a team-high 23 assists. Meaghan Marcoux (North Smithfield, R.I.) had 13 digs and three of the team's 12 service aces. Colonis and Brooke Lamothe (Tewksbury, Mass.) also had three aces apiece.

Defensively, the Trailblazers were led by Ellie Walter-Goodspeed (Auburn, WA), who had a game-high 31 digs. Natasha Stewart (North Andover, Mass.) ran the offense to the tune of 35 assists.

The Lancers return to action Thursday night at 7:00 at Anna Maria College. MCLA hosts Sage the same night at 6:00.