Falcons Upended By Chargers, 3-0

Peirce nets match-leading nine digs in non-conference setback

New London, N.H. – The Fitchburg State University women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Chargers of Colby-Sawyer College this evening in non-conference action from the Coffin Field House.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Colby-Sawyer 3 (13-25, 11-25, 13-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (1-6) | Colby-Sawyer (5-4)

Set One

Fitchburg State opened the first set with a 2-1 advantage on an attack error and a kill by sophomore Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury Memorial), before Colby-Sawyer took a 13-5 lead following a kill by junior Naarah Cox (Boston, Mass./Newton North). The hosts secured the first frame, going on a 6-1 run (23-10) with points off of senior Nicole Olivieri (Salem, N.H./Salem) serves, resulting in the 25-13 set one final.

Set Two

Colby-Sawyer grabbed an early 4-0 margin in the second stanza on a kill by freshman Maddie Bromley (Truckee, Calif./Truckee) and a service ace from freshman Anna Allen (Los Angeles, Calif./El Segundo). Fitchburg State cut the lead to 4-3 on three straight points off of serves by sophomore Jessica Peirce (Brentwood, N.H./Exeter), but the hosts responded with a 5-0 stretch, capped by a kill from junior Rebecca Straubel (Altamont, N.Y./Altamont) to take a 9-3 lead, resulting in the 25-11 final in the second set.

Set Three

The Green and Gold continued to battle in the third set, taking a 2-0 early lead on a service ace by Riccardi before the Chargers answered back (6-2) as sophomore Maddie Conroy () delivered a service ace. Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 10-4 following a kill by senior Kristina Osborne (Ashby, Mass./North Middlesex), but Colby-Sawyer secured the victory as junior Riley Codman () registered a kill to take the third and final set by a score of 25-13.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's matchup will mark the ninth meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 4-5 all-time when taking on the Chargers.

Fitchburg State had won three of the last four contests against Colby-Sawyer with the Chargers earning a 3-0 victory in the last meeting on October, 28, 1997 at the Coffin Field House.

Fitchburg State was paced by Peirce with a match-best nine digs and one assist, while Osborne added two service aces, three kills and five digs.

Riccardi was also solid for the Green and Gold, chipping in with six digs, two kills, one assist and one service ace.

For Colby-Sawyer, Bromley finished with a team-best six digs, three kills, one assist and three service aces, while junior Olivia Goodrich (Epping, N.H./Epping) registered a game-leading 12 assists and one solo block.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Rams of Framingham State as well as the Wildcats of Bay Path College on Tuesday with a 5:00 pm start. Chargers will travel to Worcester State on Wednesday for a tri-match with Western New England College, starting at 5:00 P.M.