Lancers Claim the Double Win at Suffolk Tri

Worcester, MA- In their final matches before opening conference play next week, the Worcester State Volleyball team (1-10, 0-0) journeys to Boston to compete against Suffolk and a rematch with RIC at the Suffolk University tri-match. The day opened with a second meeting of the season with RIC before closing out the afternoon with a match versus the host Rams. 

Final

Worcester State: 3

RIC: 0

Final

Worcester State: 3

Suffolk: 2

How it Happened:

The Worcester State volleyball team turned in one of their most complete performances of the season, sweeping Rhode Island College, 3–0, on neutral ground at Smith Court Saturday afternoon. The victory boosts the Lancers to 2–10 on the year.

The Lancers wasted no time getting to work in the opening set and set the tone early, rallying from a small deficit in the opening set before storming past the Anchorwomen 25–19. First year setter Maggie Luke (Chelmsford, MA) directed the offense with precision, handing out 16 assists and adding 12 digs, while sophomore Beatrice Gamboa-Estrella (Simi Valley, CA) delivered a match-high 12 kills to keep the Lancers in control.

Set two was the tightest battle of the afternoon, with 10 lead changes and the Anchorwomen refusing to go quietly. But Worcester's balance proved too much. Junior Isabella Melo (Webster, MA) was nearly unstoppable, hitting .300 with 8 kills, while sophomore Kaitlyn Anthony (Gastoni, NC) added five kills of her own. The Lancers closed the door late for a 25–23 win and a commanding 2–0 match lead.

The third set showcased Worcester's best volleyball of the day. Behind a smothering defense that piled up 67 digs on the match—led by sophomore Katherine Crateau (North Andover, MA) with 17—the Lancers overwhelmed RIC, racing to a 25–17 clincher.Senior Paige Thomason (Hudson, MA) made her presence felt at the net with four block assists, while sophomore Rylee Valstyn (Watertown, MA) and first year Reece Connors (Fresno, CA) combined for key swings down the stretch.

Gamboa-Estrella finished with 12 kills, 8 digs, 2 blocks while Crateau anchored the defense with a match-high 17 digs.

Looking to keep the momentum off the win against Rhode Island, the Lancers went to work and wasted no time making an impact. A back and forth start would set up an exciting finish in both the opening set and in this match. The Lancers, in the opening set, would see the Rams get a late surge and would stun Worcester 28-26 for an opening set loss. Gamboa-Estrella would have four kills and four digs while Anthony would anchor the defense with 11 digs and snagging three kills as well.

The second set would be a strong start for the Lancers,  but turned to a close finish down the stretch. Getting off to a big surge to begin the set would not be enough for Worcester as the Rams were ready for the challenge. Suffolk would go on a late run to make an attempt at the win but the Lancers would shut it down and win the second set 27-25. Crateau would have six digs in the second set while Connors would have five assists including two that set up the win and have the Blue and Gold grabbing the set.

The third set would be the best set of the match for the Lancers. Snagging a huge gain right out of the box and never looking back. Suffolk would try to get something going but Worcester did not allow them into the conversation and claimed the third set 25-15 and a 2-1 set lead. Gamboa-Estrella would record three kills while Connors collected three more digs to anchor the defense.

The fourth set would be the slowest start for Worcester but an exciting finish down the stretch. The Lancers would get a late point gain but ultimately fall short 25-20 and found the match moving to the deciding fifth set tie break. Connors would claim four kills in the set while Gamboa-Estrella would come away with five kills.

The fifth set would be no different then the rest of this match as a back and forth battle would ensue with each team looking for the victory. A yellow card issued on the Rams bench would amplify the intensity in the gym as Worcester aggressively worked to claim the victory. After being tied 10-10, Worcester would go on a four point run before a block by Valystn and Anthony would seal the victory at 15-11 for Worcester State.

Gamboa-Estella would end the match with 18 kills with Crateau finish the match with 25 digs.

What's Next:

Worcester State (3-10, 0-0) opens up their conference season on Tuesday with a trip to rivals Framingham State at 6pm.