Volleyball Falls to Norwich in Key GNAC Showdown, 3-0

NORTHFIELD, Vt.- The Norwich University women's volleyball team expanded their winning streak to six games, defeating Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Emmanuel in straight sets Saturday afternoon.

Norwich (12-6, 6-4 GNAC) came into the day in seventh place in the conference standings, fighting for a birth into the GNAC Tournament while the Saints (8-15, 3-7 GNAC) now find themselves on the outside looking in.

EC got a team-high 12 kills from senior middle Anna Caristi (North Attleboro, Mass.) while junior Rachel Coleman (Peabody, Mass.) and sophomore Brigid Moriarty (Westfield, Mass.) combined for 25 assists (14/11) on the day.

The Cadets were led by Addison Hall (Apple Valley, Calif.) who recorded 11 kills and scored another five points off of service aces. Kathryn Farnum (North Andover, Mass.) recorded another double-double earning 14 digs while adding another 13 kills.

Sarah Farnum (North Andover, Mass.) assisted on 37 of the team's 42 kills, while Laura Farnum (North Andover, Mass.) and Olivia Brown (Rye, N.H.) each recorded double digit digs with 13 and 10 respectively.

After battling to a 24-24 tie in the first set, Leah Mathewson (North Chelmsford, Mass.) and Hall each earned kills to give the Cadets a 26-24 set victory.

In the second set Norwich was able to use an 8-3 start of the set, to grab a hold of the set. After the Saints scored three out of four points to close the score to a 13-8, Norwich scored 12 of the next 17 points to close out a 25-13 second set win.

The Cadets held a 22-18 advantage in the third set before, Kathryn Farnum kicked off a three-point run to close out the final frame 25-18. 

Norwich will close out their home schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 27 against Colby-Sawyer before finishing their regular season schedule with a trip down to Connecticut to face St. Joseph (Conn.) and Anna Maria. Emmanuel has a quick turn around, facing former GNAC rival Suffolk University in non-conference action this Monday, October 25 on the road.

*Release courtesy of Norwich University Athletic Communications office