Bears Race Past Falcons in MASCAC Clash

Guzman collects game best 22 digs

Fitchburg, Mass.– The Fitchburg State women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Bears of Bridgewater State this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action.

The Falcons donned pink pre-game warm-ups for their annual Dig Pink Night for breast cancer awareness.

The Basics
Score: Fitchburg State 0, Bridgewater State 3 (19-25, 21-25, 17-25)
Records: Fitchburg State (3-13, 1-3 MASCAC) | Bridgewater State (7-10, 3-2 MASCAC)
Set One
In the opening set, Bridgewater State took a 4-1 advantage on a kill from sophomore Becca Whalen (Plymouth, Mass.). Fitchburg State battled back to knot the score 9-9 with a kill from sophomore Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.). Leading 19-17, the Bears reeled off six of the next eight points to take the first set (25-19) with a kill from junior Sydney Rice (Medway, Mass.).

Set Two 
In the second set, the Green and Gold, grabbed a 6-4 edge on a pair of defensive miscues from the visitors. The Falcons extended their lead (14-11) when junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) connected on a kill. However, the Bears answered and a pair of points on the serve from senior Shannon Grindle (Halifax, Mass.) to take a 20-17 lead. A service ace from freshman Victoria Caiano (New Bedford, Mass.) closed out the 25-21 set two victory.

Set Three
In the final set, Bridgewater raced out to a 7-3 advantage on a pair of service aces from Caiano. Following a kill from Riccardi the hosts cut the deficit to 14-13. The Bears went on a 4-0 run to push the lead to 23-17 and closed out the match with a kill from Rice, resulting in the 25-19 third set final.

Inside the Numbers

• Fitchburg State was paced by sophomore Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn.) with a game-best 22 digs, while Riccardi finished with 8 kills, and two digs. Sheehan was also solid for the Falcons, collecting four kills, one service ace, one block and three digs.
• For Bridgewater, junior Casey Holmes (Norton, Mass.) registered a team-leading 14 digs and a game-high 31 assists, while junior Abigail Gardner (Holden, Mass.) chipped in with 7 kills, 6 digs and one service ace.

Up Next 
Falcons will travel to Framingham State on Saturday for a tri-match with the Rams and Curry College. First serve slated for noon. Bridgewater will face Bates on Friday, October 18^th in opening day action of the Hall of Fame Tournament at Amherst College.