Falcons Downed by Blue Jays in Straight Sets

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 match to the visiting Blue Jays of the University of Saint Joseph (CT) in non-conference action at Parkinson Gymnasium on Thursday evening.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, USJ 3 (25-22, 25-20, 25-12)
Records: Fitchburg State (4-14) | USJ (5-20)

How It Happened

• In a back-and-forth first game, the Blue Jays held a 7-5 lead off a kill from senior Hannah Benson (Terryville, Conn.). A kill from newcomer Gabrielle Griffiths (Bedford, Mass.) evened the score at 7-all. USJ forged ahead 11-8 with a kill from Shannon Carey (Bayport, NY), but the Falcons responded with a 10-4 run to take an 18-15 advantage. Rookie Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) contributed with a pair of aces, while sophomore Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) chipped in with a pair of kills. USJ reeled off eight straight points before the Falcons countered with four straight points on Shianne Harewood's (Sterling, Mass.) serve to trail 23-22. A kill from Carey closed out the frame for the Blue Jays.
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• The Falcons opened the second game with a 6-4 lead after a kill from Griffiths. USJ answered with a duo of kills from Carey and a service ace from Alexandra Long (East Hartford, Conn.) to lead 13-7. Sardella delivered an ace and Mirra followed with a kill to cut the Falcon deficit to 15-13. Trailing 21-14, the Falcons notched four straight, including an ace from Mirra, but the Blue Jays took the game with a kill from junior Victoria Adler (Berlin, Conn.).
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• The Blue Jays raced out to a 14-5 advantage in game three, capped by a kill from Sarah Haire (Vernon, Conn.). The Green and Gold picked up a kill and a block from Sariah Dyer (Raynham, Mass.) to trail 17-11. An 8-1 run from USJ, finished with kills from Benson and Victoria Isokpehi (Lagos, Nigeria) resulted in the 25-12 score.
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 Inside the Numbers

• Junior Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.) had 14 assists and 9 digs, while Mirra added 9 kills, 11 digs, and a block for the Falcons
• Sardella added 7 kills, 3 aces, and 8 digs for the Green and Gold
• Nicole Albert (Meriden, Conn.) led USJ with 15 helpers, 3 digs, 2 kills, and 2 aces.
• Natalia Rabassa (Juana Diaz, PR) had a team-high 16 digs, while Carey added 11 kills and 5 digs.
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Up Next

The falcons are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host Salem State at 2:00 PM.