Falcons Open 2022 Season with 3-2, Five Set Thrilling Victory Over Bulldogs

Sardella notches match best 16 kills for Green and Gold

Franklin, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball Team registered a thrilling 3-2, five set victory over the Bulldogs of Dean College this evening in non-conference action from the Pieri Gymnasium as the Falcons opened their 2022 season.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Dean 0 (27-25, 18-25, 25-23, 22-25,17-15)
Records: Fitchburg State (1-0, 0-0 MASCAC) | Dean (0-1, 0-0 GNAC)

Set One
Fitchburg State grabbed an early 3-1 edge on a blocking assist from junior Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.) and sophomore Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) as well as service ace by Mirra, but Dean would take an 11-7 edge as junior Jenny Galley (Pembroke, Mass.) notched a kill. Trailing 21-18, the Falcons rallied to take the opening set 27-25 though with freshman Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) secured the first set victory for the Green and Gold with a service ace.

Set Two
The Bulldogs opened a 12-5 lead in the second set on a service ace by sophomore Jordan Herivaux (Pawtucket, R.I.) before the Falcons trimmed the lead to 13-7 as sophomore Shianne Harewood (Sterling, Mass.) collected a kill. Fitchburg State went on a 4-0 run, highlighted by kills from Harewood and Sardella, but Dean closed out the second set with a Bella Driscoll (Plymouth, Mass.) kill for the 25-18 triumph.

Set Three

Fitchburg State took a quick 3-0 advantage on kills from Mirra and freshman Gabrielle Griffiths (Bedford, Mass.), but Dean knotted the score at 8-8 on a service error. The visitors grabbed an 18-16 lead as senior Sari Albury (Nasseau, Bahamas) notched a kill before the Falcons answered with a 5-2 stretch, capped by a Sardella kill for the 25-23 victory.

Set Four

The Green and Gold went on a 5-0 run in the fourth set as Harewood registered a kill, while Sardella added three service aces for the 9-6 edge before the Bulldogs responded with a 4-0 streak of their own with Driscoll notching a kill for the 10-9 lead. Fitchburg State would grab a narrow 21-20 lead on a Harewood kill before Dean closed out the fourth set on a 5-1 to force a fifth and deciding set.

Set Five

The Falcons grabbed a 5-1 edge on a Mirra ace and a Sardella kill, but Dean battled back, reducing the lead to 6-5 as junior Hope Laiter (Riverside, R.I.) registered a kill. The Bulldogs eventually took a 12-10 lead with sophomore Rae Edwards (Westfield, Mass.) collecting a service before Fitchburg State closed out the match, capturing four of the last six points, resulting in the 17-15, fifth set triumph.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest marked sixth meeting between Fitchburg State and Dean on the volleyball court with the Falcons 2-4 all-time when taking on the Bulldogs

Dean had won four of the first five matchups with Fitchburg State, with the Falcons securing a 3-1 triumph in the last meeting on September 3, 2021 at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Sardella led the way for the Falcons with a match leading 15 kills, five service aces and ten digs, while Mirra added six kills, one assist, five service aces and six digs. Senior Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass.) was also solid for the Green and Gold, finishing with a team-best 16 assists, ten digs and one kill.

For the Bulldogs, Driscoll registered a game-best 44 assists, seven digs and two kills, while sophomore Emily Larouche (Agawam, Mass.) chipped in with 13 kills, three service aces, two blocking assists and seven digs.

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday at they visit the Falcons of Fisher College for a non-conference match, starting at 7:00 P.M. Bulldogs will host the Rams of Framingham State on the same date for a non-conference tilt, beginning at 11:00 AM.