Falcons Defeated By Bears In MASCAC Action

Mirra and Sardella combine for 17 kills for Green and Gold

Bridgewater, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball Team dropped a tough 3-1 decision to the Bears of Bridgewater State this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Tinsley Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Bridgewater State 3 (15-25, 23-25, 29-27, 19-25)
Records: Fitchburg State (2-3, 0-1 MASCAC) | Bridgewater State (2-3, 1-0 MASCAC)

Set One
Bridgewater State opened a early 9-1 margin on a defensive miscue before Fitchburg State chipped the deficit to 12-5 as sophomore Sariah Dyer (Raynham, Mass.) notched a block. Trailing 21-11, the Falcons answered with a kill by junior Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.), but the Bears secured the first set on a kill from newcomer Alexis Starks (Milford, Mass.).

Set Two
The Falcons grabbed a 3-0 edge on back-to-back service aces by senior Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass.) but the hosts battled back to take a 19-18 advantage with senior Savannah Quintal (Assonet, Mass.) registering a kill. Fitchburg State responded with kills from freshman Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) and Dyer to make the score 22-20 before Bridgewater State closed out the second with the last three points, capped by a Kim Gowell (Durham, N.H.) service ace for the 25-23, second set final.

Set Three

Fitchburg State would take a 7-5 lead on a kill by sophomore Alissa Olmsted (Ashby, Mass.) before Bridgewater State responded to grab to an 18-14 margin on pair of kills from freshman Rachel Sebastian-Asbed (St. Louis, Mo.). The two teams would trade leads down the stretch before the Falcons took the third set (29-27) as Taylor collected a kill.

Set Four

The host began the set with a 7-4 advantage on a Gowell kill, but the Green and Gold cut the deficit to 8-6 on kills by Sardella and newcomer Iyana Lopez (Lowell, Mass.). Down 15-9, Fitchburg State notched the next five points, highlighted by two kill from Sardella (15-14) before Bridgewater State closed the match with the final three points for the 25-19, fourth set triumph.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest marked 23rd meeting between Fitchburg State and Bridgewater State on the volleyball court with the Falcons 3-20 all-time when taking on the Bears

Bridgewater State has won the last 15 matches against Fitchburg State, including a 3-2, five set thriller last season at Parkinson Gymnasium

Sardella paced the Falcons with a team-leading nine kills, two service aces, one assist, 15 digs and two blocking assists, while sophomore Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) added eight kills, four digs and three blocking assists. Sophomore Catherine Goodearl (Marstons Mills, Mass.) was also solid for the Green and Gold, finishing with 15 digs and three assists.

For the Bears, Sebastian-Asbed led the way with a match best 14 kills and two digs, while junior Victoria Caiano (Acushnet, Mass.) chipped in 26 digs and five assists

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they visit Anna Maria College for a non-conference matchup, starting at 12:00 PM. Bears will visit Lesley University on Thursday for a non-conference bout at 7:00 PM.