Falcons Rally Past Amcats

Gelinas collects 14 assists to lead Green and Gold

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Volleyball Team registered a 3-1 triumph over the Amcats of Anna Maria College this afternoon in non-conference action from the Fuller Activities Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 3, Anna Maria 1 (19-25, 25-14, 25-23. 25-22)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-3, 0-1 MASCAC) | Anna Maria (1-5, 0-0 GNAC)

How It Happened

First Set
Anna Maria opened a 9-6 advantage after a defensive miscue before Fitchburg State rallied to take a 14-13 edge on a kill from junior Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.). Trailing 17-15, the Falcons trimmed the lead to 17-16 on a Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) kill, but the Amcats secured the win with a service ace from Ryann Hassett (North Oxford, Mass.) for the 25-19 first set triumph.

Second Set
Fitchburg State raced out to a 10-4 lead in the second set with a Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) service ace. Anna Maria cut the deficit to 17-10 on a service error, but the Green and Gold would take the set, 25-14, capped by a Mirra service ace.

Third Set
The Amcats grabbed a 9-1 margin with junior Julia Tarantino (Pembroke, Mass.) service ace before the Falcons rattled off six straight points, highlighted by three service aces from Sardella. The hosts battled back to knot the score at 23-23 following a defensive miscue, but the Falcons held on for the 25-23 victory as Sardella notched the set clinching kill.

Fourth Set
The Green and Gold started the fourth set with an 8-3 lead on a kill from freshman Iyana Lopez (Lowell, Mass.), but Anna Maria reduced the lead to 12-7 as Jana Hunt (Woodstock, Ont.) notched a kill. The Amcats went on a 6-0 run late in the set to make the score 24-22, capped by a Hassett kill before Fitchburg State secured the match with freshman Gabrielle Griffiths (Bedford, Mass.) picking up a kill, resulting in the 25-22 victory.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the 13th meeting between the two squads in on the volleyball court with the Falcons 7-6 all-time when taking on the Amcats

Anna Maria had won five of the last six matchup with Fitchburg State, including a 3-1 decision last season.

Fitchburg State was paced by Sardella with a match-leading eight kills, two assists, six service aces and 12 digs, while Mirra added eight kills, one assist, three service aces and eight digs. Gelinas was also solid for the Falcons, collecting 14 assists, four kills, one service ace and two blocking assists.

For Anna Maria, Hassett led the way eight kills, two service aces, one dig, one solo block and three blocking assists, while junior Sarah Burt (Plymouth, Mass.) chipped in with six kills, one assist and service ace.

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Tuesday as they travel to Lasell University to take on the Lasers in non-conference action, starting at 7:00 PM. Amcats will host the Lynx of Lesley University on Wednesday for a non-conference tilt at 6:00 PM.