NEWTON, MA— The Lasell College women's volleyball team earned their first win of the 2010 season on Tuesday night, defeating the Lesley University Lynx, 3-1. The Lasers took the first two sets (25-23, 25-21) before Lesely returned to pick up the third set 25-18. Lasell ended the match with a final set of 25-22.
In the opening game, Lasell started the set with an 8-3 lead before the Lynx came back for a five point run to tie the game at eight-all. Lasell picked up the breaking point on a Lesley error and took a two-point lead on a kill by freshman outside hitter Sara Biondo (Coventry, RI) which sliced the Lynx's end line. Lesley tied the game at 10-all after a double block by Victoria Ashley and Kaitlyn Miller (Leesport, PA) but Lasell regained control shortly after. The Lasers held a slight lead up until Lesley tied the set up for the final time at 23-all on an attack by Amanda McCracken (Elderburg, MD),however Lasell retained their composure seal the set one victory, 25-23.
Lasell's Eileen Barrett (Ludlow, MA) put down four kills in the first game, while Meghan Crozier (Ballston Spa, NY) distributed six assists. Senior libero Melanie Costa (Ludlow, MA) had a set-high seven digs in the first frame.
McCracken had a set-high six kills in the first game for Lesley while libero Caitlin Vandenburgh scooped up six digs.
The second set was similar in start, with the Lasers maintaining a narrow advantage on the scoreboard. The Lynx closed in on an 11-all tie with another huge outside block by McCracken and Miller, however, a middle attack by Danielle Drapeau (Biddeford, ME) put Lasell back on top.
McCracken and Megan Ortwein (Shanghai, China) were dominant defensively at the net for Lesley which set the Lynx on a run to take their first lead of the game at 17-16. Three consecutive kills by Barrett gave Lasell the edge once more. Lasell took the second game 25-21.
Barrett went 4-for-7 in the second set with no errors at the net and Crozier completed 12 assists for Lasell. On the visitor's court, Ortwein hit 100% at the net, going 4-for-4.
In the third set, Lesley pushed ahead 12-6 with McCracken serving six straight points before a service error broke the run. Lasell fought their way back to build a 17-15 lead, however, the Lynx fought back to a 21-17 edge, capitalizing on Laser errors. Oterwein slammed down the final point of the game, giving Lesley the victory in the third set.
McCracken led the Lynx with four kills in the set, while Chadwick was close behind her with three, also picking up three digs.
In the final set of the game, it was a back-and-forth battle of side-outs, culminating in a 20-20 tie. Two attack errors for Lesley gave Lasell the edge, 22-20. After two kills by Barrett, the match was sealed by Diane Coon (Plymouth, MA) on a kill down the middle of the court.
McCracken led all hitters with 15 kills while also producing three blocks. Miller and Wechsler combined for 35 assists in the set, with Miller also leading the Lynx with 13 digs.
For the home team, Barrett slammed down 11 kills on 23 attempts for a game-best .348 clip. Crozier tallied 25 assists and five digs, and Costa delivered a match-high 18 digs in the contest.
Lasell will host Newbury College in their next contest which is slated for September 14th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Athletic Center.