Leopards Fall in Final Home Match

BOSTON, Mass. – Freshman Megan Brown (Dartmouth, Mass.) recorded six kills and six digs to pace the Worcester State women's volleyball team to a 3-0 win over Wentworth in a non-league match played at Tansey Gymnasium.

The host Leopards set the tone early in the first set, jumping out to a 5-1 lead.  However, the Lancers quickly regained by scoring six of the next seven points to take a 7-6 lead and extended their lead to 13-7 before taking the opening set, 25-14.

Worcester State pumped out to an early lead in the second set and lead by as many as 10 before Wentworth pulled within four.  However that would be as close as the Leopards would get as the Lancers took a 2-0 lead with a 25-17 win.

Looking to close out the match in a sweep, Worcester State raced out to a 19-9 lead before Wentworth used an 11-1 run and tied the set at 20-all.  The Lancers scored the next two points to take a 22-20 lead.  Despite the Leopards pulling within one at 24-23, that would be as close as the hosts would come as the Lancers completed the sweep with a 25-23 win.

Junior Kristen Koles (Billerica, Mass.) and sophomore Becky Lebel (Millbury, Mass.) each added four kills for the winners, with senior Michelle Maass (Halifax, Mass.) and freshman Vicki O'Brien (Canton, Mass.) each recording six digs.  Lebel also had four blocks, while freshman Shawna Strazzere (Billerica, Mass.) had 10 assists.

Sophomore Julie Rahilly (Nashua, N.H.) and freshman Michelle Hobbs (Northwood, N.H.) each had five kills for the Leopards, with junior Julie Bruton adding a four kills, pair of blocks, and three digs.  Rahilly also had three aces and sophomore Rebecca Williams (Brockton, Mass.) had 11 assists.  Senior Sam Vinciguerra (Somersworth, N.H.), who was honored as the Leopards' lone senior playing in their final home match prior to the match, had two blocks.

Worcester State upped its win streak to two and evened its record at 14-14.  The Lancers will be participating in the Bridgewater State Quad Classic on Saturday against Framingham State, Mass. Maritime, and the host Bears.  Wentworth sees its two-match win streak snapped as the Leopards fall to 7-19.  The Leopards play their final non-league match of the season on Thursday night at Curry.