Falcons Drop Three Set Decision To Pilgrims

Anderson collects six digs and three services in non-conference setback 

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's volleyball team suffered a tough 3-0 setback to the Pilgrims of New England College in non-conference action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, New England College 3 (19-25, 11-25, 10-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (2-10) | New England College (5-12)

Set One

In the opening set, New England College grabbed an early 7-3 advantage on kills by sophomore Jada Small (Coconut Creek, Fla./Monarch) and freshman Kenzie Barron (Clearfield, Utah/Clearfield) before Fitchburg State battled back to cut the deficit to 19-16 with three service aces from sophomore Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass./The Winchendon School).The Pilgrims answered back on a kill from sophomore Dreka Griffin (Calera, Ala./Calera) as the visitors went on the take the first set 25-19.

Set Two

In the second set, the Pilgrims raced to a 10-3 margin following a service ace by newcomer Tihani Ehia (Kaneohe, Hawaii/James B. Castle), but the Falcons responded (16-6) as junior Emily Beauvais (Haverhill, Mass./The Winchendon School) registered a kill. New England College would take the second set however with freshman Julia Ostrov (Milliani, Hawaii/Milliani) capping the scoring with a kill off a set by Griffin for the 25-11 final.

Set Three

In the third, New England College rattled off nine straight points off of serves from freshman Maggie Dadmun (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth). Fitchburg State cut the lead to 13-6 on kill by senior Kristina Osborne (Ashby, Mass./North Middlesex), but the Pilgrims secured the victory as Barron delivered a service ace to make the score 17-7, resulting in the 25-10 third set final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark the fourth meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with the Falcons currently 0-4 all-time when taking on the Pilgrims.

New England College has the first four matches against Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 decision in the last meeting on September 1, 2018 at Bridges Gymnasium.

The Falcons were led by Anderson with a team-best six digs, three service aces, three kills and one assist, while sophomore Amy Coelho (Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham) added six assists, one kill, one service ace and three digs.

Osborne was also solid for the Green and Gold, registering six digs and three kills in the contest.

For the Pilgrims, sophomore Emma Kowalka (Kalispell, Mont./Cushing Academy) collected a match-leading nine digs, one assist and one service ace, while Ehia chipped in with seven digs, seven kills, one assist and one service ace.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Westfield State University tomorrow to take on the Owls for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 7:00 PM. Pilgrims will host the Rams of Framingham State University and the Colonels of Curry College on Saturday for a non-conference tri-match, beginning at 11:00 AM.