Falcons Nipped By Buccaneers In Five Sets

Coelho registers double-double of 23 assists and 19 digs in MASCAC setback 

Buzzards Bay, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's volleyball team suffered a tough 3-2 setback to the Buccaneers of Massachusetts Maritime Academy this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Clean Harbors Athletic Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 2, Mass. Maritime 3 (25-18, 25-19, 25-27, 10-15 )

Records: Fitchburg State (2-15, 0-4 MASCAC) | Mass. Maritime (1-14-1-3 MASCAC)

Set One

In the first set, Fitchburg State grabbed an early 10-3 margin following an attack error before Mass. Maritime cut the deficit to 14-7 following a kill from sophomore Maddie Coughlin (Monroe, Conn./Masluk). The Falcons secured the opening victory however as senior Nicole Sylvester (Everett, Mass./Everett) converted a kill off a set by sophomore Perry Joubert (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk), resulting in the 25-18 final.

Set Two

In the second set, the Green and Gold took a 12-4 lead on a service ace by senior Jaquelyn Manyak (Bolton, Mass./Nashoba Regional), but the Buccaneers responded on a kill by Coughlin (12-6). Fitchburg State would take the second set as well by the score of 25-19 following an attack error.

Set Three

In the third set, Mass. Maritime opened a 9-1 advantage on a service ace from junior Michelle Sheehan (Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro) before the Falcons cut into the deficit (15-6) after a service ace by senior Kristina Osborne (Ashby, Mass./North Middlesex). The Buccaneers answered back though as junior Christina Ruggeri (Bourne, Mass./Bourne) registered a service ace for the 25-10, third set final.

Set Four

In the fourth set, the Green and Gold started the set with a 6-5 lead on a kill by sophomore Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury). The Buccaneers took a 25-24 advantage after an attack error, but Fitchburg State rallied to knot the score at 25-25 on a kill by senior Kathryn Carroll (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) before Mass. Maritime answered back, taking the final two points of the set (27-25), to force a fifth and deciding set.

Set Five

In the final set, Fitchburg State would take a 4-1 lead following a bad set. Mass. Maritime battled back to grab a 12-5 advantage on an attack error, but the Falcons cut the lead to 14-10 as Riccardi connected on a service ace. The Buccaneers secured the victory however on the next points when senior Jen Roy (Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro) registered a kill off a set by freshman Bianca Andronic (Somerset, Mass./Somerset-Berkley)

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark 18th meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with the Falcons currently 15-3 all-time when taking on the Buccaneers.

Fitchburg State had won six of the previous seven contests with Mass. Maritime. With the Buccaneers securing a 3-1 victory last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Fitchburg State was led by sophomore Amy Coelho (Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham) with a team-best 23 assists, two kills, 19 digs and two blocks, while Sylvester added 19 digs, eight kills and two service aces. Freshman Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn./Norwich Technical) was also solid for the Green and Gold, finishing with 19 digs and one assist.

For Mass. Maritime, Ruggeri collected a match-leading 29 digs, one kill and three service aces, while Sheehan chipped in with 31 assists, three kills, one service ace and one blocking assist.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Blazers of Elms College on Thursday for a non-conference tilt, starting at 7:00 PM. Buccaneers will travel to Fisher College on Friday for a non-conference matchup at 7:00 PM.