WORCESTER, MASS. – Norwich University staged its first volleyball match in school history as the Cadets traveled to Clark University to take part in a tri-match along with Husson College. Norwich lost both matches to Clark and Husson.
The Clark Cougars swept a three-game match against Norwich University (3-0) to start the day. In the opening match, the Cougars overcame a back and forth battle and took the first game 30-27. Down 24-25, consecutive points by Emily Visone (West Hempstead, N.Y.) and Larissa Christensen (Coventry, Conn.), with a kill and service ace respectively, gave the Cougars a 26-25 lead.
Clark was able to hold on for the victory and win the next two games 30-10 and 30-10. Sarah Hunsucker (Orinda, Ca.) led the Cougars with 11 kills, three service aces and one solo-block. Margo Labadorf (Columbia, Conn.) had seven kills, 13 digs, while Christensen finished with 17 assists, six kills, and five service aces. Visone topped Clark in digs (10).
Norwich was led by freshman Lauren Aikens (Pembroke, Mass.) with four kills. Freshmen Nicole Kasanoff (Quincy, Mass.) chipped in with eight digs, while Sarah Brooks (Suffolk, Va.) dished out 10 assists.
Clark beat Husson College in three games in its second match of the day (30-28, 30-16, and 30-22). Labadorf had 12 kills and 10 digs to lead the Cougars, while Karleen Porcena (Roxbury, Mass.) and Hunsucker finished with 16 and 11 kills, respectively. Top hitters for Husson included: Cassandra O'Neil (Manchester, N.H.) with four kills and seven digs and Rachel Russell (Trenton, Me.) seven kills, six digs and three service aces.
In other matches, Husson College swept Norwich, 3-0. Game scores were 30-24, 30-26, 30-24. Freshman outside hitter Allison Chepke (Jackson, Oh.) had 10 kills and 16 digs, while Marion Kish (Wallingford, Conn.) had seven kills and 17 digs, and senior Tricia Porter (Fremont, N.H.) finished with 20 assists, a pair of digs and one service ace to lead the Eagles. Norwich leaders included: sophomore Amanda Plachek (Williams, Ca.) seven kills and Aikens with five digs and seven assists.
Norwich will return to action on Wednesday, September 6, with a match at St. Michael's College at 6:00 p.m.
