BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Worcester State University volleyball team clinched at least a share of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular season title as the visiting Lancers posted a 3-0 victory over Bridgewater State University on Wednesday evening at the Tinsley Center.
The Lancers, who won by set scores of 25-16, 25-21, 25-11, improve to 18-7 on the season and 6-0 in the MASCAC. The host Bears fall to 4-18 overall and 2-4 in conference play with their seventh straight setback.
Junior outside hitter Amari King (Lawrence, Mass.) paced the visitors with a match-high 15 kings to go along with 12 digs, an ace and a solo block. Classmate Emily Carens (Northborough, Mass.) contributed 12 kills, while sophomore middle blocker Stephanie Chapin (Hampden, Mass.) tallied four kills, an ace and a match-best six block (two solo). Junior setter Allie Nolan (Melrose, Mass.) dished out 25 assists and notched two kills and two assisted block. Junior libero Megan Leavens (Storrs, Conn.) added a team-best 15 digs and a pair of aces.
Worcester recorded a .191 hitting percentage and totaled nine aces and seven team blocks.
Freshman middle hitter Sydney Rice (Medway, Mass.) tallied seven kills and four blocks (one solo) to lead the way for Bridgewater State. Junior outside hitter Kayla Baril (Seekonk, Mass.) registered five kills, ten digs and a pair of assisted blocks, while junior setter Picabo Miskiv (Centerville, Mass.) handed out 14 assists and tallied a kill and an assisted block. Junior libero Cassidy Tyros (Chelmsford, Mass.) posted a team-best 15 digs.
Bridgewater finished with five aces and five team blocks. The Bears, however, recorded as many kills (24) as attacking errors (24).
Both teams will be competing at the Hall of Fame Invitational hosted by Smith College on Friday and Saturday. The Bears take on Curry College on Friday night at seven, while the Lancers will battle Brandeis University on Friday at 5:00 PM.