STANDISH, Maine - The Norwich University women's volleyball team returned to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Saturday afternoon, traveling to the Harold Alfond Center for a tri-match hosted by Saint Joseph's College of Maine.  Despite impressive stretches of play, the Cadets fell in straight sets to Rivier University and the host Monks.

Norwich opened the day against Rivier, taking early momentum in each set before the Raiders responded with extended scoring runs to take control, ultimately securing a 3-0 victory (12-25, 14-25, 10-25).  Vanessa Whitmill (Fremont, Calif.) led the Cadets with four kills, while Sarah DeBot (Rochester, N.Y.) tallied a team-best five assists.  Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) added a game-high six digs.

The Cadets jumped ahead early, capitalizing on a Rivier attack error and a clean swing from Grace Davie (Lynnfield, Mass.) to take a brief 2-1 lead.  The Raiders answered with a series of offensive bursts, separating themselves midway through the opening frame.

Set two saw an early 10-3 Rivier lead trimmed to 13-7 following a block by Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.).  Though the Raiders extended their margin late, the Cadets responded with a composed 5-0 run to close the gap to 24-14, capped by service pressure and disciplined transitions.  Rivier closed out the set on the next point.

Norwich once again started strong in the third, jumping out to a 4-1 lead behind Raider miscues and smart ball control.  The Raiders regained footing with a lengthy scoring run, reclaiming the lead and controlling the remainder of the set.

After a short break, the Cadets returned to the court to face the host Monks and turned in one of their most spirited third-set performances of the season.  Despite dropping the match 3-0 (12-25, 9-25, 21-25), Norwich matched Saint Joseph's point-for-point in stretches and pushed the Monks to the wire in the final set.

Davie led the offense with five kills, followed closely by Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) with four.  Parkhurst distributed eight assists, while Cameryn Jenkins (Monroe, Mich.) recorded a match-best five digs.

The first set featured an early exchange of points, with Norwich pulling within one at 8-7 after a quick 4-1 burst.  The Monks responded with a momentum-shifting run, riding to a 1-0 match lead.  The second set followed a similar pattern, with Saint Joseph's building an early cushion and closing strong.

Norwich elevated its energy and execution in the third.  After opening the set with back-to-back points, the Cadets remained locked in during an evenly matched middle stretch.  A 16-all deadlock saw the Monks take a two-point edge, but a kill from DeBot and block assists by Vasapolli and Elexis Powell (Charlott Hall, Md.) evened the score once again at 18-18.

Saint Joseph's answered with a 3-0 run, but Norwich fought back to close the gap to 21-20.  The Monks responded with a 4-1 surge to close the set and match, despite the Cadets' best efforts to force a fourth frame.

The Cadets will return to Andrews Hall on Saturday, Oct. 18, hosting Salem State University in a non-conference match at 11:00 a.m.  Norwich will then step back into GNAC play on Tuesday, Oct. 21, welcoming Colby-Sawyer College for a 4:00 p.m. start.