Providence, RI - The Nazareth Women's Volleyball Team wrapped up it's season-opening road trip on Saturday afternoon two losses to Johnson & Wales (25-16, 25-21, 25-9) and Wheaton College (MA) 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 at Johnson & Wales University. Set scores were. With the loss, Nazareth falls to 0-3 on the year, while Wheaton opens it's season at 1-0. 

Match 1 vs Johnson and Wales

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Golden Flyers struggled to find offensive rhythm in the opening set, committing nine errors against just seven kills to hit -0.67 as a team. Despite a few early points from senior Leah Fusilli and sophomore Alana Lucey, Johnson & Wales used a steady attack to build a lead, closing the first set, 25-16.
• In the second set, Nazareth showed improvement, hitting .077 with nine kills. Strong serving from Fusilli and solid playmaking by freshman setter Madeline Saunders kept the Golden Flyers competitive, but the Wildcats maintained their composure and pulled away late to take the set, 25-21. 
• Johnson & Wales take full control of the third set, hitting a match-high .412 as Nazareth struggled to recover. The Golden Flyers were limited to just four kills and committed nine errors in the set. The Wildcats closed the match with a convincing 25-9 win. 

QUICK FACTS: 

• For the second game in a row, Fusilli led Nazareth with four kills, four service aces, and 10 digs, continuing her strong performance. 
• Lucey and senior Zipporah Sparkman each contributed three kills, with Lucey also adding a block. 
• Saunders dished out six assists. 
• Sophomore Hailey Trank added five assists and senior Jenna Mattison recorded four assists and two aces. 
• Junior Sara Glose tallied four digs and one ace in a strong defensive showing.

Match 2 - vs Wheaton 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Nazareth came out strong in the opening set, hitting .200 as a team and trading points with the Lyons throughout. Junior Chelsea Plummer led the attack with several early kills, while senior Leah Fusilli and junior Alana Lucey added key contributions to keep the set tight. However, Wheaton used a late surge to pull out the 25-23 win. 
• In set two, Nazareth kept things close early, thanks to continued strong play from Lucey and Plummer at the net. Freshman setter Madeline Saunders helped orchestrate the offense with six assists, but the Lyons capitalized on key Nazareth errors to take the set, 25-19. 
• Jenna Mattison kept rallies alive, but the Lyons pulled away to close out the match, 25-18libero and FusilliThe Golden Flyers struggled to maintain momentum in the third frame, registering just four kills as Wheaton hit .176 and tallied five aces in the set. Defensive efforts from

QUICK FACTS:

• Plummer paced the Golden Flyers with six kills and added four digs 
• Lucey finished with five kills and a block  
• Fusilli continued her all-around strong weekend with four kills and a team-high 12 digs
• Saunders and Hailey Trank combined for 11 assists
• Mattison tallied six digs and a pair of serving aces 

LOOKING AHEAD: 

Nazareth will return to action on Friday, September 5 at 4 p.m against Shenandoah University at Marymount University in Arlington, VA.