WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Lasell College women's volleyball team was pushed to the limit Saturday afternoon but in the end pulled out its second straight five-set Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory with a triumph over the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) at the O'Connell Center.
The Lasers won the first two sets in extra play, 29-27 and 26-24, but the host Bluejays came back to take the next two sets, 25-22 and 25-23. Lasell pulled out the victory with a decision in the final set, improving to 6-12 overall and 4-2 in the GNAC. USJ drops to 6-7 overall and 0-4 in conference play.
The Lasers were led by the tandem of senior Olivia Addington (Orange, Calif.) and freshman Kiana Perez (Juncos, Puerto Rico), who both recorded double-doubles. Addington posted a team-high 20 kills and 23 digs for her 10th double-double of the season, while Perez tallied 17 winners and 18 digs for her fifth double-double and third in a row.
Sophomore libero Allie Jo Amos (Prescott, Ariz.) chipped in with a team-highs of 26 digs and four service aces, freshman Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) added a double-double of her own with 47assists and 13 digs, and freshman Meghan Roberts (Newington, Conn.) contributed eight kills and five blocks.
USJ fought off three set-points in the opening set, and Lasell overcame one set point, winning the set with three straight points to pull out the 29-27 decision. The teams were tied 11 times in the second set before Lasell pulled out the victory on a block by sophomore Meg Carroll (Douglas, Mass.)
The third set went back and forth as well with the home team taking the 25-22 victory by scoring the final five points. The trend continued in the fourth set, as USJ broke a 23-23 tie with two straight points to force a decisive fifth set.
The Bluejays scored the first three points, but Lasell came back to take a 5-4 lead. The Lasers pulled away and ended up with the victory on the strength of a 15-9 verdict in the final set.
Lasell is back in action on Wednesday with a non-conference match at Massachusetts Maritime (7:00 p.m.), while USJ plays again Tuesday at Fitchburg State (7:00 p.m.)
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