Falcons Split Tri-Match in Season Opener

Falcons defeat Wildcats, 3-0 before dropping a 3-1 decision to BlueJays

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team opened their 2019 season today, hosting the Wildcats of Bay Path University and the Blue Jays of Saint Joseph (CT) as the Falcons defeated Bay Path 3-0 before dropping a 3-1 decision to the University of Saint Joseph at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Game One

Score: Fitchburg State 3, Bay Path 0 (25-18, 26-24, 25-16)

Records: Fitchburg State (1-0 | Bay Path (0-1)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State took a 15-9 advantage following a service ace from senior Emily Beauvais (Greenfield, N.H.) before Bay Path cut the lead to 16-12 on a kill by sophomore Lisa Sikop (Easthampton, Mass.). The Falcons secured the first set though as junior Perry Joubert (Seekonk, Mass.) connected on a service ace, resulting in the 25-18, first set triumph.

In the second set, the Wildcats raced out to a 15-10 margin on a kill by newcomer Delaney Ivas (Adams, Mass.), but the Falcons closed out the second set with three consecutive points, highlighted by a service ace from junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) as the Falcons took the second set 26-24.

Bay Path took a 5-2 lead in the third set on a kill by freshman Kiana Ortiz (Springfield, Mass.) before Fitchburg State scored eight of the final nine points, capped by a service ace from senior Jaquelyn Manyak (Bolton, Mass.), resulting in the 25-16 third set final to secure the three set sweep.

Fitchburg State was led by Manyak with a game-best 16 assists, one kill, three digs and two service aces, while Riccardi added eight kills, two assists, two digs and three service aces.

Freshman Khyarah Gaston-Feliciano (Holyoke, Mass.) paced Bay Path with 12 assists, one service ace and three digs, while newcomer Marissa Courchesne (Belchertown, Mass.) chipped in with seven kills and seven digs.

Game Two

Score: Bay Path 0, Saint Joseph 3 (16-25, 17-25, 9-25)

Records: Bay Path (0-2 | Saint Joseph (1-0)

Saint Joseph grabbed a 7-3 margin in the opening set on a kill by senior Lauren Pelletier (South Windsor, Conn.) before Bay Path answered with a kill from sophomore Lydia Clifford (Coventry , R.I.) to make the score 7-4. The Blue Jays secured the set one victory on a kill by sophomore Nina Lestrud (Torrington, Conn.) for the 25-18 final.

In the second set, the Blue Jays grabbed a 12-6 edge following a service ace from freshman Nyah Young (North Windham, Conn.), but the Wildcats responded with kill from Ives to cut the lead to 16-7. Saint Joseph would take the second set 25-17 on a service ace by freshman Natalia Rabassa (Juana Diaz, P.R.).

In the final set, Bay Path notched the first two points on a service by Ortiz before Saint Joseph took an 8-4 margin on a kill from junior Aminah Tsonga (Plainville, Conn.), en-route to a 25-9, third set final

Bay Path was led by Gaston-Feliciano with a team-best six assists and one dig, while Clifford added six assists, three kills, two digs and one block.

For Saint Joseph, freshman Nyah Young (Swansea, Mass.) finished with a match-leading 22 assists, five service aces and one dig, while Tsonga chipped in with seven kills, six service aces, two assists and three digs.

Game Three

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Saint Joseph 3 (11-25, 25-18, 22-25, 18-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (1-1 | Saint Joseph (2-0)

Saint Joseph took a 10-6 margin in the opening set before Fitchburg State answered with a point to cut the lead to 10-7. The Blue Jays would secure the first set victory though on a kill from freshman Sarah Haire (Vernon, Conn.) for the 25-11 final.

In the second set, grabbed a 9-3 margin on a service ace from sophomore Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn.), but the Blue Jays rallied for three points as sophomore Hannah Benson (Terryville, Conn.) connected on a service ace. The Green and Gold would take the second set though as Beauvais and junior Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass.) notched kills for the 25-18 victory.

Saint Joseph answered back, taking the third set as Tsonga gave the visitors an 11-6 advantage on a service ace before Guzman cut the deficit to 18-15 on a kill. The Blue Jays held on for the 25-22, third set victory however with Tsonga delivering a service ace.

The Blue Jays secure their second victory on the season in the fourth set, with the score 16-13, the visitors converted nine of the last f14 points with newcomer Shannon Carey (Bayport, N.Y.) registering a service ace for the 25-18, fourth set final.

Fitchburg State was led by Guzman with ten digs, two kills, two assists and one service ace, while Anderson added six kills and eight digs.

For Saint Joseph, Rabassa notched 13 digs and two service aces, while Tsonga added six kills, one assist, two service aces and seven digs.

Inside the Numbers

This morning's contest will mark the fourth meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with the Falcons 2-2 all-time when taking on the Wildcats.

Fitchburg State secured a 3-0 triumph last season against Bay Path on Sept. 18, 2018 at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

This afternoon's contest will mark the third meeting between the two teas on the volleyball court with the Falcons 0-3 all-time when taking on the Blue Jays.

Saint Joseph has won all three meetings with Fitchburg State, including a 3-1 decision last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium on Oct. 2, 2018.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to New England College on Tuesday to take on the Pilgrims for a non-conference tilt, starting at 6:00 PM. Wildcats will visit Westfield State University on Wednesday for a non-conference bout at 6:00 PM. Blue Jays will visit Mount Holyoke for a tri-match with SUNY Cobleskill next Saturday, starting at 10:00 AM.