Women's Volleyball Takes Down Fitchburg State, 3-1, Tuesday Night

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) volleyball team took down the visiting Fitchburg State University (FSU) Falcons, 3-1, Tuesday night inside James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford, Conn. With the result, the Blue Jays move to 3-14 on the season while the Falcons drop to 7-7 overall.

KEY MOMENTS

• USJ started the game strong, jumping out to an 8-4 lead after two kills from senior middle blocker Victoria Adler (Berlin, Conn.)
• The Blue Jays continued to dominate, opening up the gap to ten, 19-9, after two service aces from senior outside hitter Shannon Carey (Bayport, N.Y.) and kills from freshman outside hitter Shaye Harris (Propsect, Conn.) and junior outside hitter Rachel Heaney (Torrington, Conn.).
• The Falcons tried the claw back into the set, closing the gap to five, 20-15, after a 6-1 stretch.
• However, USJ did not let FSU get any closer, as an ace from senior libero Fernanda Ayala Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and kills from Adler and Harris secured the set, 25-18.
• The second set began as a back-and-forth contest, with the Blue Jays and Falcons playing out a 10-10 tie.
• USJ began to pull away, utilizing a 7-2 stretch, capped off by a Heaney kill, to establish a 17-13 edge.
• FSU would not go down easy though, reestablishing a deadlock, 20-20.
• The Blue Jays would not be deterred by the late comeback attempt, closing the second set on a 5-2 run, featuring three Carey service aces, to win the set, 25-22, and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
• The Falcons would not let USJ pull off the sweep, winning the third set, 25-19, to close the gap to 2-1.
• USJ opened the fourth set on a 3-1 run, using a Ayala Rodriguez ace to take the early lead.
• FSU would keep the set close, closing the gap to one, 11-10.
• USJ began to pull away though, exploding for a 9-2 stretch, capped off by a service ace from senior defensive specialist Katina Nanos (Lebanon, Conn.), to hold a commanding 20-12 lead.
• FSU could not muster a late comeback, as USJ held the Falcons at bay, winning the fourth set, 25-14, and the match, 3-1.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Friday, October 6, heading to Regis College for a matchup against the Pride. First serve on Higgins Court in Weston, Mass., is set for 5:00 p.m.

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