Trailblazers Sink Cadets in Straight Sets

North Adams, MA-- The MCLA Volleyball team received 12 kills from Anais Badio to lead the Trailblazers to a 3-0 win over the visiting Norwich Cadets in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.  MCLA moves over .500 to 3-2, while the Broncos drop to 1-2 on the young season.

MCLA came out hot in the first two sets, winning them 25-12 and 25-15 behind strong hitting percentages of .444 and .345, respectively. The Trailblazers recorded 13 kills in both sets while limiting their errors to one in the first set and three in the second.

The third set was much more competitive as the Cadets regrouped and forced the play on their hosts more consistently. The Cadets worked out to a three-point lead multiple times, only to see the hosts respond with a run of their own. The teams were even 13 times during the frame, including at 24-24. The Trailblazers would finish the strongest, taking the final two points on kills from Badio and Elizabeth Brown to finish the set at 24-26.

Badio set the standard for the team with her 12 kills on 22 attacks (a .455 hitting percentage).  She also added two service aces and four digs for MCLA.  Audrey Melson also struck the ball well, finishing with ten kills on only 15 attacks for a .667 hitting percentage.  Shannon O'Brien continued her solid play with 20 assists and five digs.

Giovanna Fruci's six kills paced Norwich.  Gina Caraccio set up the offense with 20 assists.

MCLA returns to the road on Wednesday when they head north to Vermont State Castleton.