Box Score NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Worcester State University rallied in each of the three sets to sweep the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth volleyball team this evening at the Tripp Athletic Center, spoiling the Corsairs' season-opener. The Lancers remain unbeaten, raising their overall record to 3-0.
Junior Jasmine Burris (New Bedford, Mass.) led UMass Dartmouth attack with 10 kills on 28 attempts and five errors for a 17.9 hitting percentage. Classmate Eliza Bowes (West Yarmouth, Mass.) recorded six winners, while sophomore setter Christina Spinazola (Medway, Mass.) handed out a game-high 20 assists. Junior libero Brianna Perry (Acushnet, Mass.) registered 25 digs, while Burris and Bowes each dug out eight attempts.
Senior Alyssa Jasper (Rockland, Masas.) reached double digits in kills (10) to pace the visitors. Junior Jennifer Cabral (Swansea, Mass. / Joseph Case) was one winner off the pace, while sophomore Valerie Hoyle (Bridgewater, Mass. / Bridgewater-Raynham) turned in strong performance with seven kills and a 30.8 hitting percentage. Sophomore Jamika Townsend (Virginia Beach, Va. / King's Fork) dished out 15 assists, while senior Amanda Lewis (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) handed out 13 helpers. Cabral led Worcester State with 16 digs.
In a nip and tuck opening set, neither team led by more than three points until UMass Dartmouth staked itself to a 17-13 advantage. Worcester State whittled away its deficit by scoring four consecutive points to draw even at 22-all. The Corsairs regained their lead on a kill by junior Kate McEachern (Wrentham, Mass. / King Phillip), but the Lancers recorded the final three points of the set—capped by a Hoyle winner.
The second and third sets were practically mirror images of the first. Sophomore Cara Butcher (East Longmeadow, Mass.) gave the hosts' a 21-19 lead, but the Lancers rattled off three consecutive points. A service error by the visitors forged a 22-all tie, but Worcester State strung together three straight kills to take the set.
In the final stanza, the Lancers outlasted the Corsairs 30-28. UMass Dartmouth held a 19-14 advantage, but the visitors responded with four consecutive points before tying the match at 23-all. Either team was able to pull away, but Worcester State used a two-point surge to seal the victory.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 4 p.m. on Sept. 5, when the Corsairs host Eastern Nazarene in the opening round of the UMass Dartmouth Invitational. The Corsairs will also face Regis College at 6 p.m.
