Falcons Fall In Straight Sets To Bulldogs

Anderson and Riccardi combine for 12 kills in non-conference setback 

Franklin, Mass. - The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team dropped a suffered a tough 3-0 setback to the Bulldogs of Dean College in non-conference action from the Pieri Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Deans 3 (24-26, 21-25, 23-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (1-6) | Dean (1-5)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State knotted the score (8-8) in the first set on a kill by senior Jaquelyn Manyak (Bolton, Mass.) before Dean took a 16-12 advantage on a kill from senior Melanie Rios-Nevarez (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico). The Falcons retied the contest 24-24 following a kill by sophomore Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.), but the Bulldogs took the next two points, resulting in the 26-24 first set final.

In the second set, trailing 15-13, Fitchburg State would tie the contest 15-15 on a kill from senior Emily Beauvais (Greenfield, N.H.). Dean went on a 5-2 run to take a 20-16 edge, capped by an attack error. The Green and Gold chipped the deficit to 21-22 on a kill by junior Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass.), but the Bulldogs secured the second set 25-21 on another kill from Rios-Nevarez.

Fitchburg State grabbed a 5-0 edge in the third set following a service ace from sophomore Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass.) before Dean cut the lead to 10-7. The Falcons upped its lead to 14-9 on a kill by Taylor, but the Bulldogs would rally to take the final set, 25-23 as senior Kait Anderson (Clinton, Conn.) notched a kill.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest will mark the fourth matchup between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 0-4 when taking on the Bulldogs

Dean has won the all three meetings with Fitchburg State including a 3-0 decision last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium

Fitchburg State was paced by sophomore Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn.) with a team-best 18 digs and one service ace, while Manyak chipped in with six assists, two service aces and three digs

Anderson was also solid for the Green and Gold with seven kills, nine digs, one assist and two service aces

For Dean, sophomore Amanda Payne (Millis, Mass.) finished with a game-best 25 digs and one assist, while Anderson chipped in with 13 kills and seven digs

Up Next

Falcons will host the Buccaneers of Mass. Maritime Academy on Tuesday for a MASCAC clash, starting at 6:00 PM. Bulldogs will travel to Curry College on Wednesday for a non-conference tilt at 6:00 PM.