Lancers Take the Sweep to Buccaneers on the Road

Worcester, MA- After a competitive match this past Friday that had the Lancers pushing past the Vikings three sets to one, the Lancers Volleyball team (5-14, 2-2) heads to the cape to take on Mass. Maritime in a crucial conference meeting with the Buccaneers.

Final

Worcester State: 3

Mass. Maritime: 0

How it Happened: 

Riding the momentum from their conference win on Friday, the Worcester State Lancers came out strong in a back-and-forth battle with the Buccaneers before taking full control for a clean 3-0 sweep.

The opening set saw both teams trading points early, but the Lancers found their rhythm midway through the frame. Behind the attacking duo of first-year standout Reece Connors (Fresno, CA) and senior leader Paige Thomason (Hudson, MA), Worcester pulled away and closed the door on a late Bucs rally to grab an early 1-0 match lead.

The second set was all energy from the start for the Blue and Gold. Sophomore Beatrice Gamboa-Estrella (Simi Valley, CA) and senior Cassidy D'Esposito (Medford, NY) sparked a dominant run with back-to-back kills, giving Worcester an early cushion. The Bucs battled back to tighten the frame, but the Lancers responded with poise. Connors and Gamboa-Estrella combined for another surge as Worcester capitalized on key Buccaneer miscues to take set two, 25-22.

Worcester saved its best for last in the third set. After an even start, the Lancers exploded for a 12-1 run, powered by Gamboa-Estrella and contributions from Connors, D'Esposito, Thomason, and junior Isabella Melo (Webster, MA). The Bucs had no answers as the Blue and Gold shut the door for good, sealing the sweep and another impressive home victory.

Gamboa-Estrella paced Worcester with 10 kills and 10 digs for a double-double performance. Sophomore Kathriene Catreau (Attleboro, MA) anchored the defense with 20 digs, while senior Michelle Iannacito (Bronx, NY) set the tempo with 14 assists in the win.

What's Next:

Worcester State (6-14,3-2) journeys to Salve Regina this weekend to take on the Seahawks and Smith College in a tri-match with the first set scheduled for 1pm.