CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's volleyball battled through five intense sets to earn a thrilling 3-2 victory over Russell Sage College, fueled by key plays, a record-breaking night for multiple Spartans, and a dramatic fifth-set finish. 

The Basics
Final Score: VTSU Castleton 3, Russell Sage 2
Location: Glenbrook Gymnasium – Castleton, Vt.
Records: VTSU Castleton 10-10 | Russell Sage 8-9
 
How It Happened
Castleton started the match trailing early in the first set as Russell Sage applied intense pressure with a strong serving game and aggressive attacks at the net. Alondra Rojas and Madison Sheehan combined to deliver several key service aces and kills that disrupted the Gators' offense. The Gators jumped ahead and maintained their lead thanks to Paige Kemmer's seven kills and multiple Castleton attack errors. Despite multiple efforts to close the gap, the Spartans couldn't fully recover and dropped the opening set 21-25. 
 
Refusing to be rattled, Castleton bounced back with a much better offensive performance in the second set. Castleton's serving pressure increased leading to a 7-2 run early in the set. Madison Sheehan was aggressive at the net with seven kills and one block assist helping to keep the Spartans' ahead. The Spartans' defense tightened as well, limiting the Gators' scoring opportunities. The Spartans held firm to capture the second set 25-22, evening the match at one set apiece. 
 
The third set was a turning point as Castleton hit an impressive .328, fueled by 13 kills and strong serving with six service aces as a team. Sheehan led the way with several key kills, while Lilli Burrows and Brianna Walsh provided steady support from the outside and middle. With a 8-4 run late in the third set, the Spartans were able to force errors and stifle scoring opportunities for the Gators, taking the set 25-14. 
 
Castleton started the fourth set with momentum, but early miscues allowed Russell Sage to jump ahead quickly to a 3-0 lead, capitalizing on attack errors. Despite the early deficit, the Spartans began chipping away at the lead thanks to multiple attack errors from the Gators. Later, Allie Salvione went on a powerful serving run, delivering three aces that propelled the Gators ahead to take the set 25-23. 
 
After dropping the fourth set, Castleton responded with a 4-0 opening run to set the tone. Sage was able to rally behind Aniyah Kelley with several kills to pull within one point. Both teams battled for a lead, but could not maintain one for long until the Spartans were able to pull away with key kills from Sheehan and costly attack errors from the Gators, taking the match, 15-11. 
 
By the Numbers

• Castleton hit .151 as a team, finishing with 50 kills and 11 service aces, while holding Russell Sage to a team hitting percentage of .134. 
• Sheehan paced the Spartans with 20 kills and five blocks. 
• Rojas broke the program's career assists record with 40 in the match, also adding 12 digs and five aces, earning yet another double double.
• Vaughn led the Spartans with 20 digs, setting a new single-season digs record.
• For Sage, Kemmer led the way with 17 kills, while Kelley tallied 10. 

What's Next
The Spartans host UMass Dartmouth and Massachusetts Maritime Academy in a tri match on October 18 starting at 11 AM in Glenbrook Gymnasium.