Falcons Battle Rams And Colonels In Tri-Match

Sheehan nets 11 kills for Fitchburg State

Framingham, Mass. - The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Rams of Framingham State in their opening match before falling 3-0 to the Colonels of Curry College at the Athletic Center on the campus of Framingham State.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Framingham State 3 (15-25, 12-25, 11-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-14, 1-4 MASCAC) | Framingham State (14-9, 4-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened

(Game One)

First Set

Fitchburg State opened a 12-8 lead on kills from junior Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass.) and sophomore Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.) before Framingham State rattled off ten straight points, keyed by several kills by sophomore Brandee Thomas (North Kingstown, R.I.), en-route to a the 25-15 first set victory.

Second Set

The Green and Gold cut the deficit to 5-3 in the middle set on kills by Anderson, Sheehan and sophomore Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn.), but the Rams answered back on with a kill from Morgan Failla (Providence, R.I) to take a 6-3 edge. Fitchburg State chipped the lead 7-5 as sophomore Jillian Laabs (Dudley, Mass.) delivered a kill. Framingham State took three of the final five points though for the 25-12 final.  

Third Set

Fitchburg State grabbed a 6-3 edge on kills from Laabs and Anderson before Framingham State responded with six consecutive points to take a 9-6 lead. The Falcons cut the lead to 11-9 following another kill by Laabs, but the Rams would take the third set 25-11.

Inside the Numbers

This morning's contest marked the 18th meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 5-13 all-time when taking on the Rams

Framingham State has won the last four matches against Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 decision last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium

Fitchburg State was paced by junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury Mass.) with a team-leading six kills and four digs, while Sheehan added four kills, one service ace and three digs.

For Framingham State, Thomas finished with 11 kills, three digs and two services aces, while junior Brandey Rodriguez (Franklin, Mass.) chipped in with six kills.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Curry 3 (21-25, 9-25, 17-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-15) | Curry (12-9)

How It Happened

(Game Two)

First Set

Fitchburg State grabbed a 4-2 advantage on kills from Riccardi and junior Perry Joubert (Seekonk, Mass.), but Curry answered back with a kill from Amanda Wood (Tokyo, Japan) to gain a 5-4 edge. Trailing 9-4, the Falcons cut the deficit to 9-7 following a kill by senior Emily Beauvais (Greenville, N.H.) before the Colonels held on for the 25-21 first set victory.

Second Set

Curry opened an early 6-1 lead on a kill from sophomore Lexi Pereira (Attleboro, Mass.) before Fitchburg State answered with a kill by Sheehan. The Colonels upped their margin to 14-3 as Lex Bell (Salem, Conn.) connected with a service ace, resulting in the 25-9 second set triumph.

Third Set

The Green and Gold knotted the set at 3-3 on a service ace by Sheehan, but Curry responded with a kill from Caroline Kilduff (Rockland, Mass.) to grab a 6-3 lead. Fitchburg State battled back with a kill from senior Kathryn Newcomb (Portsmouth, R.I.) and two kills by Sheehan to make the score 24-17 before Curry secured the final set, 25-17.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked just the second between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 0-2 when taking on the Colonels

Curry won the first match against Fitchburg State with a 3-0 victory at the Parkinson Gymnasium

The Falcons were led by Sheehan with a team-best seven kills, four digs and one service ace, while senior Jaquelyn Manyak (Bolton, Mass.) added eight assists, one service ace and one dig.

For the Colonels, Rachel Damstra (Houston, Tex.) finished with a match leading 33 assists, one kill, five digs and two service aces, while Shea Mathews (Concord, N.H.) chipped in with 14 dig and one service ace.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Owls of Westfield State on Wednesday for a MASCAC clash, starting at 6:00 PM. Rams will travel to Salem State on the same date for a conference match up at 7:00 PM. Colonels will host the Nor'easters of New England University on Tuesday for a CCC tilt at 7:00 PM.