BENNINGTON, Vt.  – The Castleton State College women's volleyball team came up a bit short in its first action of the year on Thursday evening, dropping a pair of 3-0 contests to Southern Vermont and the Mass. College of Liberal Arts.

In their first match of the season, the Spartans dropped their first set 25-3 but came back in the final two sets to make it close, losing 25-18 and 25-10. Sophomore Nicole Valastro (So. Glens Falls, N.Y.) had a team-high seven digs on defense and also added a pair of assists and one kill. Sophomore Grace Schreiber (Cheshire, Conn.) hit a team-best .375 with three kills in eight attempts.

Facing Mass. College of Liberal Arts in its second match, Castleton once again fell in straight sets, 25-18, 25-17 and 25-14. Valastro and junior Alyssa Sherman (Argyle, N.Y.) each had ten digs while Schreiber led the team with five kills. Sophomore Paige Lacey (Westerly, R.I.) added a team-high four assists and two kills.

The Spartans return to action on Monday, Sept. 5 when they travel to take on Cobleskill at 6 p.m.