WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University volleyball team picked up its third consecutive win on Thursday, defeating Lasell College in straight sets in non-conference action at John P. Brissette Court. Set scores were 25-8, 25-11, 25-22.

With the win, the Lancers improve to 4-5 on the season, while the Lasers fall to 0-10.

The Lancers came out guns blazing in set number one, with an impressive attack percentage of .593. After Lasell tallied the first two points of the night to jump ahead early, Worcester State went on a 10-0 run to take a commanding lead. Senior Amari King (Lawrence, Mass.) recorded three kills during the run that saw the Lancers take the lead, and the hosts never looked back, taking the set 25-8.

The second set appeared to be headed to a closer start, but the Lancers would end up pulling away. After a kill from Lasell's Olivia Addington (Orange, Calif.) cut the Lancer advantage to 12-8, Worcester State went on a 10-2 run, capped by a Lauren Murphy (Taunton, Mass.) service ace, to go ahead 22-10 in the set. Moments later, a Lasell attack error ended the set and Worcester took a 2-0 lead in the match.

Worcester State opened the third set on a 10-2 run and it appeared they would cruise to the sweep, but the Lasers refused to go down quietly. A kill from Lancer freshman Natalie Gillis (Ashland, Mass.) gave the hosts a lead of 18-11 in the set's waning moments, but from there the Lasers would take over. They would cut the deficit all the way down to 24-22, before running out of time. The match was clinched on a Lasell ball handling error, giving the hosts the home-opening victory.

Worcester State senior Emily Carens (Northborough, Mass.) and Addington were tied for the match's lead with 10 kills each, followed closely by Lasell freshman Kiana Perez (Juncos, P.R.) and King, who each had nine kills. Carens had a double-double for the Lancers, recording 11 digs. Lancer libero Megan Leavens (Storrs, Conn.) also finished the evening with 11 digs.

Next up for Worcester State, they will host Western New England and Colby-Sawyer in a non-conference tri-match at Brissette Court on Saturday. The Lasers will host a tri-match of their own on Saturday, taking on Albertus Magnus and Suffolk.

(Courtesy of Worcester State Sports Information)

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