Volleyball drops road tilt at Southern Vermont 3-1

Bennington, VT- The MCLA Trailblazers volleyball team started fast in taking the opening set against Southern Vermont, however the Mountaineers would regroup and take the next three sets as they defeated the Trailblazers 3-1 this evening.  The match was the season opener for SVC while MCLA suffered their first defeat and fall to 2-1.

MCLA started fast in the opening set cruising to a 25-15 win.  The Trailblazers never trailed in the opener as they jumped out to a 15-8 lead early on.  SVC was hurt by numerous attack errors leading to the insurmountable lead.  The Mountaineers would close to within 17-14 before MCLA closed them out with an 8-1 spurt to win the set. 

SVC turned the tables in the second set evening the match on the heels of a 25-20 set win.  MCLA actually led 18-15 before the Mountaineers rattled off eight of the next nine points to seize control.  A service error by MCLA closed out the set for the hosts.

The third set was nip and tuck early on as the score was tied at 11 all.  From there SVC began to wear down MCLA.  Four straight points put them in front and they would never trail again.  The lead would grow to 24-15 before MCLA made it interesting scoring five straight of their own before SVC closed them out for a 2-1 edge.

The final set saw the Mountaineers jump out in front 14-6 and cruise to a 25-15 set to finish off MCLA. 

Southern Vermont was paced by Jessica Delgado's match high 12 kills.  Katie Cerulo chipped in with 8 kills while Sheilani Kaleopa added 28 assists and 8 digs.

For MCLA, they were led by Brianne O'Rourke's 7 kills.  Margaret Allen added 7 of her own, while Rachel Mills finished with 6.  Chanielle Enomoto had a team best 10 assists while Allie Chang had 19 digs.

The Trailblazers are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Mount Holyoke for a 7:00pm match.