NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's volleyball team kicked off the 2025 season with a strong showing at Andrews Hall on Saturday, sweeping Vermont State University Lyndon before falling in straight sets to Vermont State University Johnson during day one of the Vermont Volleyball Classic.

The event marked Norwich's first time hosting the annual tournament since 2021, welcoming in-state rivals VTSU Lyndon, VTSU Johnson, and Vermont State University Castleton to Northfield for six matches across two days.

In the opener, the Cadets wasted no time establishing momentum, dispatching VTSU Lyndon in commanding fashion, 3-0 (25-7, 25-12, 25-9).  Charlotte Johnson (Moultonborough, N.H.) and Isabella Vasapolli (Pepperell, Mass.) led a balanced Norwich offense that racked up 27 kills against just seven errors.  Johnson and Vasapolli each recorded five kills, while Sarah DeBot (Rochester, N.Y.) notched a match-high 10 assists.  Kelsey Slane (West Sand Lake, N.Y.) collected a game-best 11 digs in her collegiate debut.

Norwich asserted itself early, rolling out to a swift 6-0 advantage within the opening set and never relinquishing control.  VTSU Lyndon kept things closer in the second frame, pulling within 12-11, but a dominant 13-1 surge by the Cadets proved decisive.  Despite a brief challenge in the third stanza, Norwich again surged late, turning a 12-7 lead into a 25-9 finish behind a 13-2 closing run to secure its first victory of the season.

In the final match of the day, Norwich faced a tougher test in VTSU Johnson and fell in straight sets, 3-0 (13-25, 14-25, 20-25), despite a spirited push late in the third set.

Grace Davie (Lynnfield, Mass.) led the way with seven kills, while Bella Belldina Ray (Martinsburg, W.Va.) and Vanessa Whitmill (Fremont, Calif.) added three kills apiece.  Autumn Parkhurst (Parish, N.Y.) and DeBot shared setting duties with seven assists each, and Slane anchored the defense with 14 digs to lead all players.

The first two sets followed a similar pattern, with Norwich hanging close early before surrendering late runs to the Badgers.  The Cadets trimmed double-digit deficits down to single digits in both frames but could not complete the comebacks.

Norwich's best effort came in the third set, where it jumped out to a 3-1 lead and remained even with VTSU Johnson until the visitors broke a 14-14 deadlock with four straight points.  Down 24-18, the Cadets capitalized on a kill by Davie and a Badger attack error to draw within four, but a final VTSU Johnson kill sealed the sweep.

With the split, Norwich moves to 1-1 on the young season.  VTSU Castleton defeated VTSU Lyndon in the day's middle match, 3-0.

The Vermont Volleyball Classic concludes on Sunday with three more matches.  VTSU Lyndon faces VTSU Johnson at 11:00 a.m., followed by VTSU Castleton versus VTSU Johnson at 1:00 p.m.  Norwich returns to the court at 3:00 p.m. to wrap the weekend against VTSU Castleton.