Falcons Soar Over Buccaneers In Straight Sets

Buzzards Bay, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team earned a 3-0 victory over the Buccaneers of Massachusetts Maritime Academy this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Clean Harbors Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 3, Mass. Maritime 0 (25-21, 25-9, 25-23)
Records: Fitchburg State (2-17, 1-5 MASCAC) | Mass. Maritime (1-18, 0-6 MASCAC)

Set One
Fitchburg State took an early 11-3 margin in the opening set as senior Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.) notched a pair of kills and a service ace. Mass. Maritime answered with a 5-3 run to cut the lead to just one (21-20) on a Marlo Sim (Groton, Conn.) kill, but the Falcons secured the first victory, registering four of the final five points, capped by a kill from graduate student Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) for the 25-21 final.

Set Two
The Falcons raced out to a 15-1 lead in the middle set with kills from sophomore Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.), newcomer Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.), and Riccardi before the Buccaneers cut the deficit to 17-6 following an attack miscue. The Green and Gold upped the advantage to 21-7 however as Mirra registered another kill, resulting in the 25-9, second set triumph.

Set Three

Mass. Maritime grabbed a 7-4 margin in the final set on a kill by Ameena Freeman (Columbus, Ohio). Fitchburg State responded, taking a 14-13 lead on a Mirra kill before the Buccaneers battled back (20-17) as Freeman notched a kill. The back and forth match continued with the Falcons grabbing a 23-22 lead following a kill from Mirra and held on for 25-23, third set victory.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest marked 20th meeting between Fitchburg State and Mass. Maritime on the volleyball court with the Falcons 17-3 all-time when taking on the Buccaneers

Mass. Maritime has won two of the last three matchups against Fitchburg State, with the Falcons securing a 3-1 triumph in the last meeting on October 17, 2019 at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Gelinas led the way for the Falcons, posting five kills, seven assists and seven digs, while Sheehan added a match-best nine kills, one assist, two service aces and four digs. Mirra was also strong for the Green and Gold, finishing with five kills, one assist, two service aces and 21 digs.

For the Buccaneers, Freeman collected a team-leading five kills, three assists, 12 digs and one blocking assist, while freshman Audrey Manning (Hanover, Mass.) chipped in with eight assists, three service aces and nine digs.

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they take on the Rams of Suffolk University and the Fighting Scots of Gordon College in a tri-match at Suffolk at 1:00 and 3:00 PM. Buccaneers will host the Anchorwomen of Rhode Island College on the same date for a non-conference tilt, starting at 12:00 PM.