Coming off of its first title in program history, the women’s volleyball team entered the Great Northeast Athletic Championship (GNAC) playoffs as the No. 1 seed after a dominant 27-5 season in which the team went 16-0 within its conference.
Following a 3-0 loss to Salve Regina on Oct. 26, the Lasers did not lose a single set the rest of the season. This remarkable stretch lasted six games, including the team’s quarterfinal victory against the Colby-Sawyer Chargers.
While massive win streaks were nothing new to Head Coach Jeff Vautrin and his veteran-led roster, the momentum the Lasers had accumulated helped the team’s confidence going into their championship match-up against the Johnson and Wales Wildcats.
“They’re ready,” Vautrin said. “We had a really good chat after the semifinal [match].”
The Lasers played well early in their semifinal game against the Simmons University Sharks, earning a first-set victory. However, the Sharks continued to battle and took the second set 25-23. About midway through the third set, the Laser offense took off and never looked back, as senior opposite McKenna McCool and senior middle blocker Juliana Medini combined for 24 kills. Junior setter Sydney Katz meanwhile, finished with 37 assists, as the Lasers won the match 3-1.
On the day of the GNAC championship, current students, athletes, professors, and alumni packed inside the Athletic Center (AC). It was the first time in school history that a Lasell team was hosting a championship in the AC. About an hour before the match, Katz, who earned a triple-double in the GNAC quarterfinal, gave her thoughts on the team competing in another GNAC title game.
“We put in all the work. It’s about to pay off,” Katz said. “We’re going to defend our home court.”
Vautrin, now in his fifth season with women’s volleyball, was less concerned about his team winning or losing and more focused on them ”playing some good ball [and] having fun out there.”
Out of the gates, both teams came ready to play, but eventually, the Lasers separated themselves from the Wildcats. McCool earned three straight kills twice for the Lasers who clinched a 25-18 first-set win and a 25-19 second-set win.
Defensively, Medini, who averaged over one block per game this season, was as formidable as ever in front of the net. Meanwhile, the liberos, junior Maddie Caro and freshman Analee Ronas, as well as junior defensive specialist Andrea Aceituno, collected a combined 29 digs.
In the third set, junior middle blocker Morgan Bogli served two straight aces, while also contributing six total kills throughout the match, second most on the team only behind McCool. Bogli further solidified her legacy as a Laser by delivering the match-winning kill for the second year in a row. After the game, Bogli reacted to the win by stating what the victory meant to her.
“To sweep is surreal, and to do it at home was even better,” Bogli said. “The fans were fantastic. It was amazing.”
(Clockwise from top left) Saige Cambonga-Meyers, Morgan Bogli, Sydney Katz, Autumn Walker, Camila Lopez, and Maddie Caro hold up the GNAC Championship trophy.
Photo Credit: Elliot Pototsky
Medini, who won the 2023 GNAC tournament MVP award, shared thoughts similar to Bogli's, stating how grateful she is for her fans, coaches, and teammates. She was ecstatic that one of those teammates, McCool, was able to take home the 2024 GNAC tournament MVP award.
“McKenna [McCool] deserves it more than anybody on this team,” Medini said. “I know I’m boasting, [but] I’m just so happy for her.”
McCool, who finished the championship match with 11 kills, expressed her feelings surrounding the program and how the team has become a dominant force in recent years.
“The heart and hustle from all of our athletes shows a lot [about this program],” McCool said. “The support system we’ve had throughout the past four years, even when we weren’t the greatest team in the world means so much. I am excited for this team and everything it holds for the next couple of years.”
Among the spectators in attendance, President Eric Turner was one of the most astonished people who witnessed the victory.
“I’m thrilled!” Turner exclaimed. “[The game] was exciting, energetic, and just wonderful. This is about community, too. [The players] clearly love each other, support each other, and that’s the reason they are back-to-back champs.”
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