Castleton, Vt. – The Spartans fell 3-0 in a non-conference tune-up against the Norwich Cadets on Wednesday evening at Glenbrook Gymnasium.

The Spartans fell behind early, finding themselves down 10-4 in the first set. Castleton closed the gap behind great defensive play from senior Nicole Valastro (So. Glens Falls, N.Y.) and junior Grace Schreiber (Cheshire, Conn.). After Valastro blasted one down the line for a kill, she combined with Schreiber for a big block. Schreiber then followed with two solo blocks to cut the lead to 11-9. That was as close as they would draw however, dropping the first set 25-17.

The Spartans jumped out to an early lead in the second set behind dynamic plays from Amanda Chambers (Lake George, N.Y.) and Sarah Wheeler (Kinderhook, N.Y.). Wheeler started the set with an emphatic solo block, followed by a Chambers kill, a Norwich error, and a Wheeler ace, putting the Spartans up 4-1. Norwich was able to come up with an answer, rattling off ten consecutive points behind the service of Jeanette Bertrand (Postenkill, N.Y.). The Cadets continued pressing throughout the set, extending their lead, and eventually taking the second 25-13.

In the third, Norwich pulled ahead early, starting the match with a 13-5 lead. Cadet outside hitter Tara Lyons (Pcassett, Maine) earned two early kills, while Corinne Baita served up two aces. The Spartans pulled within five points behind consecutive aces from Shelby Smyth (Chelmsford, Mass.) but could not complete their comeback, dropping the third set 25-14.

Valastro led the team with six digs while Chambers finished with four kills and four digs. Wheeler led the team with five kills, hitting .267 and recording three total blocks.

With the loss, the Spartans fall to 8-11 on the year. Castleton will return to action Saturday October 27, as they play host to Green Mountain in a North Atlantic Conference quarterfinal match.