Tight Matches Rule the Day as Lancers go 1-1 at Dean

Worcester, MA-  Coming off a 3-2 conference victory over the Bridgewater State Bears,  Worcester State travels to Dean College for a Tri-match against the Dean College Bulldogs and the  Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors. This was a non-conference matchup for the Lancers as they break up their undefeated stretch in the MASCAC.

Final Score: Worcester 3 - Dean 0

Recap:

The Lancers jumped to a hot start by going on an early 7-5 lead against the Bulldogs in the first set of play. There was no stopping Worcester as they were  dominant throughout the first set by holding onto  a 18-14 lead. It was a determined battle between the Lancers and the Bulldogs as Dean managed to dig their way back into the first set forcing some extra point access to determine the first set winner. 

The second set saw the hotly contested battle continue as the teams held a tie for a majority of the set before  the Lancers went on an 11-7 point break to grab a 19-15 lead and the momentum of the match. Worcester looked to be running away with the set before Dean began a run of their own, tying the set up at 22-22. The match would go back and forth for the remainder of the set before a kill by junior Angela Colonis (Waterford, CT) sealed the set 27-25 for Worcester.

The Lancers moved into the third set looking to grab that hard won match over Dean. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early set lead grabbing an early 10-5 lead. Off the service of Colonis, the Lancers would dig their way back into the set tying the game up at 14-14. The set would bounce back and forth between Dean and Worcester with two additional ties before the Lancers worked their way to the 25-22 victory.

Senior Maeve Cadogan (Wilmington, Mass.) led the game with 9 kills and 11.5 points while graduate student Cameryn Burgio (Quincy, Mass.) led the game with 20 digs.

MATCH 2

Worcester: 1  Eastern Connecticut: 3

The Lancers are coming off a 3-0 sweep against the Bulldogs and seeking another win over the Warriors. 

Recap:

The Lancers jumped to a hot start by going on an early 9-7 lead against the Warriors  in the first set of play. The Warriors charged up and brought the set to a tie at 23 a piece.  It was a determined battle between the Warriors and the Lancers as Worcester State let the lead slip out of their hands as the Warriors focused on the first set winners.

The second set saw the hotly contested battle continue as both teams held a tie 10-10 between them. The Warriors created a massive shield by holding a lead at 16-13 and controlling the Lancers to an early deficit, but the Lancers fought hard to win the second match 25-23.

The third set did not change the energy between the two teams, but the Lancers showed strength going up early at 8-5. That didn't stop the Warriors from fighting till the end, taking the third set 25-22.

The fourth set was a dangerous battle between the two, swords flying everywhere and the Warriors striking to an early lead at 17-16. The Lancers were still fighting hard but Eastern Connecticut held on for the victory. 

Colonis led the game with 13 kills and 15 points, and as a defensive maverick Burgio had 21 digs in the match.

The next matchup for the Lancers (9-12, 3-0) is a conference match against rivals Westfield State, Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at the John P. Brissett Court at the Worcester State University campus.