Lancers Fall at MIT Tri-Match in Resilient Battles

Worcester, MA- The Lancers are back in their double match swing as the Volleyball team (4-12, 1-2) heads east to MIT to face off with Mount Holyoke and MIT in a top notch out of conference meeting. 

Final

Worcester State: o

Mount Holyoke: 3

The Worcester State women's volleyball team showed resilience and grit in Saturday afternoon's neutral-site matchup at Rockwell Cage, falling in three competitive sets (22-25, 26-28, 20-25) to Mount Holyoke College.

The Lancers (4-13, 1-2 MASCAC) came out strong in the opening frame, jumping to an early 2-0 lead behind a kill and service ace that would contribute to her career 100th, from  senior Cassandra Millea (Orange, CT). Worcester stayed within striking distance throughout the set, sparked by key kills from senior Paige Thomason (Hudson, MA) and sophomore Bea Gamboa-Estrella (Simi Valley, CA), along with solid setting from junior Michelle Iannacito (Bronx, NY). Despite a late rally that included five straight Worcester points to even the score at 20–20, Mount Holyoke edged out the first set 25–22.

The second set was a thriller. Worcester traded points with the Lyons through 16 ties and 10 lead changes. Sophomore Kaitlyn Anthony (Gastonia, NC) powered the offense with seven kills on a .538 hitting percentage, while senior Cassidy D'Esposito (Milford, NY) and sophomore Rylee Valstyn (Watertown, MA) formed a strong blocking presence at the net. Service aces from Gamboa-Estrella and senior Jillian Gross (Millville, MA) kept the pressure on, and Worcester pushed the set to extra points before Mount Holyoke narrowly escaped, 28–26.

In the third, Worcester again came out swinging—highlighted by multiple kills from D'Esposito, Anthony, and Thomason—as the Lancers built an early lead. However, the Lyons responded midway through the frame and closed the match with a late surge.

Iannacito led the team with 14 assists, while junior  Isabella Melo (Webster, MA) added five and chipped in six digs. Sophomore Katherine Crateau (North Andover, MA) anchored the back line with 11 digs. Worcester totaled 27 kills, eight aces, and seven team blocks in the afternoon.

Final

Worcester State: 0

MIT: 3

The Worcester State volleyball team showed grit and persistence on Saturday evening meeting in the tri-match, battling against a strong MIT squad inside Rockwell Cage. Despite the 3-0 result (13-25, 13-25, 12-25), the Lancers continued to display flashes of improvement and team chemistry throughout the match.

Gamboa-Estrella once again led the offensive charge for Worcester, finishing with six kills to go along with eight digs.First year  Reece Connors (Fresno, CA) added three kills and a block assist, while Thomason and senior Kate Stedronsky (Sea Girt, NJ) each chipped in a pair of kills and combined for three total blocks at the net.

Iannacito  directed the Lancer offense with eight assists, while Melo added six more helpers and a pair of digs. Senior Sara Carter (North Attleboro, MA) and Crateau anchored the back line, combining for seven digs to help keep rallies alive.

The Lancers stayed within striking distance early in each set, highlighted by strong swings from Gamboa-Estrella and Connors that helped Worcester trade points through the midpoint of the second frame. Thomason provided an early spark in that set with a block and kill to put the Lancers ahead 2-0 before MIT rallied back behind an efficient attack.

Despite the final scoreline, Worcester showed continued depth off the bench, with contributions across the rotation and solid blocking presence up front.

What's Next:

Worcester State (4-14, 1-2) are back home on Friday night as they host Salem State for a 6pm serve in their return to their conference schedule.