Falcons Nipped By AMCATS, 3-1

Five seniors honored in final regular season contest

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to the AMCATS of Anna Maria this evening in non-conference action from the Parkinson Gymnasium as the Falcons honor their five graduating seniors prior to the contest.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Anna Maria 3 (23-25, 23-25, 25-15, 21-25)
Records: Fitchburg State (2-20, 1-5 MASCAC) | Anna Maria (7-17, 1-9 GNAC)

Set One
Anna Maria took an early 9-3 margin to open the set on a service ace by junior Ryann Hassett (North Oxford, Mass.) before Fitchburg State knotted the score at 19-19 as senior Amy Coelho (Bellingham, Mass.) notched a kill. The AMCATS secured the 25-23 first set triumph though on another Hassett service ace.

Set Two
Fitchburg State grabbed a 4-2 edge on a kill from sophomore Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.), but Anna Maria would go on a 8-2 run to take a 9-5 advantage following a kill by senior Jenna Grande (Whitman, Mass.). The Green and Gold battled back as newcomer Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) registered a kill to give the hosts a 20-19 lead before the AMCATS took the second set, 25-23 as junior Ashley Sheehan (Medford, Mass.) netted a kill.

Set Three

The Falcons raced out to a 12-1 edge in the third set on a pair of kill by graduate student Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) before cut the deficit to 23-14 on two service aces from junior Bella Kozciak (Westfield, Mass.). Fitchburg State closed out the third set however for the 25-15 final.

Set Four

Anna Maria would take a 7-3 lead in the fourth set as Hassett registered a kill, but Fitchburg State answered back (11-12) with a kill by senior Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.). The Falcons continued to rally, taking a 20-19 lead as Riccardi notched a kill before the AMCATS went on a 6-0 run, capped by a Sheehan service ace to collect the 25-21 victory.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest marked 12th meeting between Fitchburg State and Anna Maria on the volleyball court with the Falcons 6-6 all-time when taking on the AMCATS

Anna Maria has won four of the previous five matchups with Fitchburg State, with the Falcons securing a 3-0 triumph in the last meeting on September 19, 2019 at the Parkinson Gymnasium

Prior to the contest, the Fitchburg State women's volleyball honored its five graduating seniors: #2 Perry Joubert, #5 Amy Coelho, #9 Lauren Riccardi, #11 Leah Sheehan and #15 Jillian Laabs

Mirra paced the Falcons with a team-best 19 digs, eight kills and five service aces, while Riccardi finished with a match-leading 14 kills, two digs and two solo blocks. Junior Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass.) was also solid for the Green and Gold, adding a match best 18 assists, seven service aces and six digs.

For the AMCATS, sophomore Sarah Burt (Plymouth, Mass.) registered a double-double of 12 assists and 17 digs as well as two kills, three service aces and one solo block, while junior Serena Dennis (Holyoke, Mass.) chipped in with 16 digs, three kills and one service ace.

Up Next

Falcons return to action tomorrow as they travel to Salem State to take on the Vikings in MASCAC action, starting at 7:00 PM. Anna Maria will visit St. Joseph (Conn.) on Saturday for a GNAC clash at 3:00 PM.