SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Wheaton College volleyball team fell to host Springfield College 0-3 (17-25, 18-25, 20-25) in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Tuesday evening in Blake Arena.

The Lyons are now 6-10 overall and 1-3 in conference play, while the Pride improve to 13-2 on the season and 5-1 against NEWMAC competition. Springfield is currently considered the fourth best team in the New England Region. 

Both Arieanne Creighton and Taylor Matook finished with a team-high seven kills for Wheaton, while Deirdre Wilson finished with six. Wilson also finished with a team-high 23 assists and two blocks. Matook and Claire Cansler led the Lyons with three blocks, while Elise Waelder, like Wilson, finished with two.

Kayleigh Helgesen led all players with 11 kills on the evening, while Kelsey McGayhey chipped in nine for Springfield. McGayhey also led the Pride, along with teammates Lauren Holt and Elise Brogan with a match-high five blocks.

The Lyons held their own at the start of the first set, trailing the Pride by just two points, 11-13, after a kill by Wilson. Springfield responded with a quick 5-0 run that would put the set out of reach.

The second set began similarly to the first with the Lyons keeping up with their hosts. Trailing 16-11, Wheaton put together a strong 6-2 rally that was capped off by a Cansler kill. Holding a slim one-point lead, the Pride once again went on the offensive, cruising to a 25-18 win. 

Wheaton tied the third set three times, but would never hold the lead. Down 14-20, the Lyons began to slowly chip away at the Prides lead, but would not get closer than four points.

Wheaton returns to the court on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. against MIT before taking on Framingham State at 3 p.m. in Emerson Gymnasium. 

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