The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth captured the final two sets of the match to erase a 2-1 deficit and defeat visiting Lasell College 3-2 this evening in a NCAA Division III women's volleyball match at the Tripp Athletic Center. UMD improved to 9-11 overall and Lasell slipped to 4-23 following the 3-2 defeat.
Junior Odina Ellis (Providence, R.I.) powered the Laser attack with 12 kills, while freshman Michele Canestro (Castleton, N.Y.) registered 10 winners. Classmate Taylor Tiezzi (Meriden, Conn.) handed out a match-high 33 helpers, while freshman Caitlyn Garcia (Moreno Valley, Calif.) tallied 38 digs.
Sophomore Christina Spinazola (Medway, Mass.) piloted the Corsair attack with 26 assists, while junior Jasmine Burris (New Bedford, Mass.) and McEachern combined for 24 kills. Three UMass Dartmouth student-athletes reached double digits in digs, led by junior Brianna Perry (Acushnet, Mass.) with 41.
The Corsairs never trailed in the fifth and final set, but the Lasers forged a 9-all tie. Junior Eliza Bowes (West Yarmouth, Mass.) gave the hosts a lead they would not relinquish with her sixth kill of the match, sparking a 4-1 run. The visitors scored two consecutive points after a timeout to trim their deficit to 13-12, but UMass Dartmouth provided the answer with a winner by junior Katie McEachern (Wrentham, Mass.). Lasell extended the match on a kill by freshman Meredith Eagan (North Andover, Mass.), but UMass Dartmouth closed the non-conference contest with an attacking error by the visitors.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16, when the Corsairs host intra-state rival UMass Boston in a Little East Conference match. Lasell will celebrate senior day when they host Emmanuel on Saturday October 18th at 11:00 a.m.