Falcons Drop Three Set Decision To Trailblazers

Riccardi collects team-best nine digs in MASCAC setback

North Adams, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Trailblazer of MCLA this evening at the Amsler Center in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, MCLA 3 (14-25, 5-25, 19-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (2-18, 0-6 MASCAC) | MCLA (7-14, 1-5 MASCAC)

Set One

In the opening set, MCLA raced out to a 12-0 lead after a trio of service aces from sophomore Natasha Stewart (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) before the Falcons cut the deficit to 14-9 on a kill by senior Kathryn Carroll (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury). The Trailblazers secured the first set victory on a kill by freshman Laiken Cornwell-L'Hote (Dalton, Mass./Wahconah), resulting in the 25-14 opening set final.

Set Two

In the second set, the Trailblazers grabbed a 12-2 margin on a service ace by junior Celine Manigbas (Floral Park, N.Y./Bard). The Falcons cut the lead to 18-5 following a service error, but MCLA took the second set, 25-5 following a kill from junior Alyssa Keegan (Levittown, N.Y./Holy Trinity).

Set Three

In the final set, the Green and Gold took a 10-3 advantage on a service ace by freshman Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass./Reading Memorial). MCLA rallied to take a 20-19 lead on a kill service by junior Sarah LaFreniere (Becket, Mass./Wahconah) before holding on for the 25-19 third set final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark 13th meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with the Falcons currently 9-4 all-time when taking on the Trailblazers.

MCLA has won the last four contests against Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 decision last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Fitchburg State was led by sophomore Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury) with a team-best nine digs, two kills and two assists, while senior Kristina Osborne (Ashby, Mass./North Middlesex) added five digs, four kills and one assist. Freshman Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn./Norwich Tech) was also solid for the Falcons, collecting six digs.

For MCLA, Manigbas finished with a team-leading nine digs, one assist and one service ace, while Keegan chipped in with 11 kills, three digs and three service aces.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Nichols College next Thursday to take on the Bison for a non-conference bout, starting at 6:0 PM. Trailblazers will visit Lasell College on Saturday for a non-conference tri-match with Simmons College at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.