Falcons Take On Dutchwomen And Rams In Non-Conference Tri-Match

Sardella and Lopez lead the way for Green and Gold

Boston, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Volleyball Team dropped a pair of non-conference matchups to the Dutchwomen of Union College (3-0) and the Rams of Suffolk University (3-0) this afternoon as the Falcons competed in a tri-match, hosted by Suffolk at the Larry E. and Michael S. Scott Court.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Union 3 (12-25, 9-25, 14-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-7, 0-3 MASCAC) | Union (9-8, 2-1 LLC)

How It Happened

First Set
Union opened the set with a 7-1 margin on a service by freshman Shannon McGrath (Greenlawn, N.Y.) before Fitchburg State trimmed the lead to 9-8 as newcomer Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) notched a kill. The Falcons continued to battle with sophomore Sariah Dyer (Raynham, Mass.) registered a kill to make the score 13-10, but the Dutchwomen secured the first set victory on a Keara Page (Lowell, Mass.) kill, resulting in the 25-12 final.

Second Set
The Dutchwomen took a 12-4 lead on a service ace from freshman Georgia Pool (Yorba Linda, Calif.), but the Falcons reduced the lead to 15-7 as newcomer Iyana Lopez (Lowell, Mass.) notched back-to-back kills. Union collected a 25-9, second set triumph though with a kill from Page.

Third Set
Union grabbed an early 7-2 advantage on a service ace from senior Julia Webster (North Andover, Mass.) before Fitchburg State answered with a kill by Sardella and a service ace from newcomer Sydney Nortelus (north Billerica, Mass.) to make the score 16-11. The Dutchwomen closed the match on an 8-3 run, capped by a defensive miscue, resulting in the 25-14 final.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the first ever meeting between the Falcons and the Dutchwomen on the volleyball court

Fitchburg State was paced by Sardella with a team-leading seven kills and four digs, while sophomore Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) added four kills, one service ace and one dig. Junior Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.) was also solid for the Green and Gold, collecting nine assists and four digs.

For Union, Page registered seven kills, while McGrath chipped in with six kills, three service aces and one dig.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Suffolk 3 (12-25, 15-25, 12-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-8, 0-3 MASCAC) | Suffolk (13-5, 1-2 GNAC)

How It Happened

First Set
Suffolk took an 7-1 edge on a kill by sophomore McKenna Kweowen (San Ramos, Calif.) before Fitchburg State rallied to make the score 12-9 with Sardella and classmate Gabrielle Griffiths (Bedford, Mass.) combining for a block. The Rams would earn a 25-12, first set victory though on a kill from junior Jasmine James (Norwood, Mass.).

Second Set
The Rams opened a 6-2 margin on a service ace by sophomore Jayla Martinez (Santa Fe, N.M.), but the Falcons countered with blocking assist from Dyer and Lopez (7-3). The Green and Gold battled back (14-10) with Sardela notching a kill and Gelinas adding a service ace before Suffolk secured the middle set (25-12).

Third Set
Suffolk grabbed an 11-3 lead as Weber netted a kill before Fitchburg State answered with a pair of kills from Lopez to make the score 11-5. The Green and Gold trimmed the deficit to 13-8 with Sardella netting a kill, but the Rams registered a 25-12.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the second meeting between the two schools on the volleyball court with the Falcons 0-2 all-time when taking on the Rams

Suffolk won the first matchup 3-1 last season against Fitchburg State

Fitchburg State was led by Sardella with a team-best five kills, four digs and one blocking assist, while Gelinas added four assists, one service ace and six digs. Mirra was also solid for the Green and Gold, finishing with two kills, five digs and one blocking assist.

For Suffolk, Weber notched a match-best seven kills and three digs, while senior Harmony Johnson (Riverside, Calif.) chipped in with 16 assists, six service aces and two digs.

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Tuesday as they host the Falcons of Fisher College in non-conference action, starting at 6:00 PM.