Falcons Drop Straight Set Decision To Trailblazers In Conference Action

Griffiths paces Green and Gold with six kills and five blocks

North Adams, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Volleyball Team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Trailblazers of MCLA this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) from the Amsler Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, MCLA 3 (22-25, 19-25, 19-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-6, 0-3 MASCAC) | MCLA (8-3, 2-0 MASCAC)

How It Happened

First Set
Fitchburg State opened a 5-4 edge on a kill by freshman Gabrielle Griffiths (Bedford, Mass.) before MCLA responded with a point from freshman Elizabeth Brown (Lee, Mass.) to knot the score at 10-10. The Falcons took a 17-14 advantage with junior Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.) notching back-to-back kill, but the Trailblazers secured the first set on a defensive miscue, resulting in the 25-22 first set triumph.

Second Set
MCLA grabbed an early 3-2 margin on a kill by sophomore Chloe Garber (Eagle River, Ak.), but Fitchburg State counter for a 7-6 lead on a kill from freshman Iyana Lopez (Lowell, Mass.). The Falcons regained the lead 15-11 as Griffiths notched a kill, but the Trailblazer too the second set 25-19 on a service error.

Third Set
The Green and Gold opened with a 6-3 margin on a kill by newcomer Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) before the host rallied to take a 12-11 margin following a Shannon O'Brien (Unionville, Conn.) kill. Fitchburg State knotted the score at 16-16 following a kill by newcomer Sydney Nortelus (North Billerica, Mass.) ,but MCLA secured the match with a Julia Graham (Chittenango, N.Y.) kill for the 25-19 final

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest marked the 16th meeting between the two squads in on the volleyball court with the Falcons 9-7 all-time when taking on the Trailblazers

MCLA has won the last six meeting with Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 decision last season

Fitchburg State was led by Griffith with a team-leading six kills, one assist, one solo block and four blocking assists, while sophomore Sariah Dyer (Raynham, Mass.) added four kills, four assists, two digs, one solo block and two blocking assists, Sardella was also solid for the Green and Gold, chipping in with two kills, one assist, seven digs, two solo blocks, and two blocking assists.

For MCLA, Garber finished with a match-best 15 kills, two assists, three service aces, 13 digs and one solo block, while O'Brien added 24 assists, two kills and nine digs.

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they take on the Dutchwomen of Union College and the Rams of Suffolk University in a tri-match at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.