Falcons Nipped By Hawks, 3-1

Falcons Nipped By Hawks, 3-1

Manyak and Joubert combine for 12 digs in non-conference setback

Fitchburg, Mass. - The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team returned to action this evening, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Hawks of Becker College in non-conference action from the Parkinson Gymansium..

The Basics

Game One

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Becker 3

Records: Fitchburg State (1-3| Becker (3-0)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State knotted the score 14-14 following a kill from senior Emily Beauvais (Greenfield, N.H.) before Becker College took a answered with a point of their own. The Falcons secured the first set victory however, highlighted by a pair of kills from junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.), en-route to the 25-18 victory.

In the second set, Fitchburg State raced out to an early 6-0 advantage as sophomore Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass.) converted five service aces, but Becker cut the deficit to 13-9 on a service ace by junior Yesenia Aviles (Southbridge, Mass.). The Hawks continued to chip away at the lead before taking a 10-9 edge off another service ace from Aviles.

The Green and Gold battled back to cut the deficit to 22-21, but the Hawks would hold off the rally to take the second set 25-22.

Trailing early in the third set, Fitchburg State rallied to take an 18-14 advantage on a kill by Beauvais before Becker took the lead back 22-21 on a service ace from Aviles as the Hawks collected four of the final five points to register the 25-21, third set final.

In the final set the Falcons notched a 5-4 edge on a service ace from Beauvais. Fitchburg State upped its margin (10-8) as freshman Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.), but the Hawks would take an 11-10 lead on an attack error. The Hawks rattled off seven of next ten points, en-route to the 25-21 final to secure their third win of the season.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest marks the fifth meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with the Falcons 2-3 all-time when taking on the Hawks.

Becker has won the last three matchups with Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 decision last season at the Leicester Gymnasium.

Fitchburg State was paced by Beauvais with nine kills, one assists, one service ace, eight digs and six blocks, while senior Jaquelyn Manyak (Bolton, Mass.) added a team-leading 18 assists, two service aces, seven digs and one block

Taylor chipped in with three kills, one assist, eight service aces and nine digs for the Green and Gold

For Becker, freshman Teddie Flynn (Amesbury, Mass.) led the way with nine kills, 13 digs, one assist and two service aces, while senior Sofia Cullina (Deep River, Conn.) finished with 15 digs, six kills and two assists for the Hawks

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Lasell University to take on the Lasers for a non-con-conference tilt on Saturday, starting at 1:00 PM. Hawks will visit Anna Maria College on the same date for a tri-match with Mass. Maritime Academy at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM