JOHNSON, Vt. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team opened up the 2024 campaign with a split at the Vermont Volleyball Classic, first dropping a 3-2 decision to Vermont State University Johnson (25-23, 25-21, 14-25, 16-25, 17-19) before earning a commanding 3-0 sweep over Vermont State University Lyndon (25-6, 25-9, 25-9) to close the afternoon.

The Cadets secured wins in the opening two sets over the Badgers, capturing the initial set on a Giovanna Fruci (Wrentham, Mass.) service ace.  Momentum swung in favor of VTSU Johnson throughout the third and fourth sets, but the Cadets began to reclaim the flow in the fifth set.  It would be short-lived, however, as the Badgers rallied to claim victory.

Abby Kanaga (Apopka, Fla.) paced the team in kills against VTSU Johnson, tallying nine, while Fruci posted eight kills.  Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) dished out 10 helpers, and Katie Finn (Peru, N.Y.) and Cameryn Jenkins (Monroe, Mich.) each logged 16 digs.

Norwich bounced back over VTSU Lyndon in the afternoon's closing contest, grounding the Hornets emphatically after Lyndon claimed early momentum.  The Cadets broke open a 5-5 deadlock on a 20-1 run to close the first set.

Despite a late second-set run by the Hornets, the second and third sets were much of the same.  Fruci denied VTSU Lyndon's rally with a service ace in the second set, which turned into an 8-0 run to kick off the third frame.  Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) concluded the game, rattling off a pair of service aces in two of Norwich's last three points.

Fruci and Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.) tallied three kills each to lead Norwich, Parkhurst and Aylei Connolly (Westfield, Mass.) recorded eight aces, and Grace Davie (Lynnfield, Mass.) paced the team with five digs.

The win over VTSU Lyndon marked the first collegiate head coaching victory for new head coach Karin Parkhurst '96, who assumed the helm of the program earlier this month.

The Cadets will have a quick turnaround to close the Vermont Volleyball Classic, taking on Vermont State University Castleton at VTSU Johnson tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM.