NEWTON, Mass. – Sophomore Kiana Perez Diaz (Juncos, P.R.) smashed a team-high 10 kills and eight service aces Saturday afternoon as Lasell University women's volleyball team defeated the Falcons of Fitchburg State University in straight sets, 3-0, in the home opener in the Athletic Center.

The Lasers won by set scores of 25-17, 25-12 and 25-10, improving their season record to 2-4. Fitchburg State drops to 1-4.

Senior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.) and sophomore Meg Roberts (Newington, Conn.) added seven kills apiece in the win, and Roberts posted a team-high 10 digs. DiLeonardo had a team-best .438 attack percentage and Roberts hit at a .312 clip.

Sophomore Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) chipped in with five aces and 19 assists. Freshman Karissa Gaughan (Granby, Conn.) contributed nine digs in the victory.

Sophomore Meredith Taylor and senior Emily Beauvais shared the Falcons lead with five kills apiece, with Taylor registering a .500 hitting percentage. Chloe Guzman recorded a team-high eight digs.

Lasell pulled ahead 9-1 in the first set before the Falcons clawed their way back. The Lasers were up 11-7 before posting five straight points to move ahead, 16-7, and went on to take the set, 25-17.

The Lasers held an 11-8 lead in the second set, then ran off eight straight points on the serving of Gaughan, to open up a double-digit margin, and went on to take the second set, 25-12.

With a 4-2 lead in the third set, Lasell won 11 of the next 12 points to take a commanding lead. The Lasers never looked back and took a 25-10 verdict in the third set.

Lasell will look to keep rolling as the Lasers head into Boston next Tuesday, September 10, to take on Wentworth Institute of Technology at 7 p.m.

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