MCLA drops heartbreaker to Worcester State in five sets

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Trailblazers dropped a five set marathon to MASCAC rival Worcester State in the conference opener for both teams.  The visiting Lancers clipped MCLA in the final game by the slimmest of margins, earning a 15-13 win in the final game.

With the setback, MCLA is now 0-7 on the young season while Worcester improves to 3-4 overall.

The Lancers started quickly taking game one easily at 25-16.  MCLA would rally though as they held off Worcester in game two (25-23) to even the match at a game apiece. 

Worcester once again took the third game by a wide margin at 25-16 forcing MCLA into a must win game four.  The Trailblazers responded though, climbing out with a 25-23 win to force the deciding game.

The Lancers jumped out early scoring the first three points in set five before MCLA rallied to score the next three.  The Trailblazers couldn't keep pace though, eventually falling behind 14-9 before mounting a rally.

The Trailblazers scored the next four points closing the margin to 14-13, however following a long volley, Worcester would close out the hosts.

The Lancers were led by setter Amanda Lewis, who finished with 36 assists.  Becky Lebel and Alyssa Jasper were keys to the attack, earning 11 and 10 kills respectively.  Five Lancers recorded double digit digs on the night.

For MCLA, setter Brittany Kish was outstanding with 36 assists, 4 kills, and 8 digs.  Samantha Barbarotta led the attack with a team high 11 kills.  Libero Kelley Bryant finished with 33 digs and Allie Chang collected 24.

MCLA is off until the weekend when they host a tri-match beginning at 11am in the Amsler Campus Center.