Falcons Take On Lancers And Broncos

Worcester, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's volleyball team dropped a pair of 3-0 decisions to the Lancers of Worcester State and the SUNY Delhi Broncos in a tri-match this afternoon, hosted by Worcester State at the Lancer Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Worcester State 3 (21-25, 13-25, 14-25)
Records: Fitchburg State (1-9, 0-2 MASCAC) | Worcester State (4-10, 2-0 MASCAC)

Set One
Worcester State grabbed a 12-4 lead in the first set on a kill from senior Leelle Tyler (Longmeadow, Mass.) and an Angela Colonis (Waterford, Conn.) service ace before the Falcons cut the deficit to 16-14 as senior Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.) notched a pair of kills. Fitchburg State continued to battle (21-20) on a kill by sophomore Alissa Olmsted (Ashby, Mass.), but the Lancers secured the first set victory off a Tyler kill.

Set Two
Trailing 4-1 in the second set, the Green and Gold went on a 3-1 run to cut the lead to 5-4 as Sheehan led the way with a pair of kills, but the Lancers answered with a 6-1 stretch on  kills from Colonis and senior Natalie Gillis (Ashland, Mass.). Following a kill from freshman Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) (23-13), Worcester State notched the final two points of set, capped by a Tyler kill.

Set Three

The Lancers took a 13-6 lead in the third set on a service ace by senior Brooke Lamothe (Tewksbury, Mass.) before the Falcons responded with a 5-1 run (19-12). Worcester State secured the match however on back-to-back service aces by senior Denise Hoxha (Worcester, Mass.).

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the 18th meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 11-7 all-time when taking on the Lancers

Worcester State has won the previous seven matchups with Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 in the last meeting on Sept. 27, 2019 at the Lancer Gymnasium

Fitchburg State was paced by Sheehan with a team-leading five kills, two digs, two solo blocks and two blocking assists, while Mirra added one kill and 14 digs.

For Worcester State, Gillis finished with a double-double of 12 kills and ten digs as well as one service ace and one blocking assist, while Tyler collected nine kills, two digs and two blocking assists.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, SUNY Delhi 3 (20-25, 6-25, 14-25)
Records: Fitchburg State (1-10, 0-2 MASCAC) | SUNY Delhi (7-3, 0-0 NAC)

Set One
Fitchburg State raced out to an early 7-2 edge in the first set on a pair of kills from Mirra as well as kills by sophomore Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.) and Sheehan before SUNY Delhi answered with a 8-2 run to take a 19-15 lead on two service aces from newcomer Rebecca Heuler (Piermont, N.Y.). The Falcons cut the deficit to 23-20 as graduate student Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) registered a kill, but the Broncos secured the opening set on a kill from Marie Julian (Voorheesville, N.Y.).

Set Two
The Falcons trimmed the lead to 3-2 on a pair of Gelinas kills before SUNY Delhi went on a 13-2 run, capped by a Bailee Jones (Binghamton, N.Y.) service ace to make the score 17-4. The Broncos closed out the second set (25-6) as freshman Kaylin Hamilton (Clarkstown, N.Y.) notched a kill.

Set Three

SUNY Delhi took an early 9-0 margin in the third set on a service ace from sophomore Grace Thomas (Owego, N.Y.), Fitchburg State answered with kill from Mirra and a solo block by Riccardi (13-4). The Green and Gold continued to battle, cutting the Bronco lead to 24-14 on kills by Riccardi and Mirra before SUNY Delhi secured the victory on a Witchney Clersainville (Spring Valley, N.Y.) kill.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the first ever meeting between the Falcons and the Broncos on the volleyball court

Fitchburg State led by Gelinas with four kills, four assists, two digs and two blocking assists, while Sheehan chipped in with five kills, one dig and two blocking assists.

For SUNY Delhi, Thomas finished with a game-best 24 assists, four kills, three service aces and four digs, while sophomore Stephanie Burke (West Winfield, N.Y.) added seven kills, one assist, two service aces and five digs.

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they host the Trailblazers of MCLA in MASCAC action, starting at 6:00 PM.