Falcons Defeated By Nighthawks In Four Sets

Peirce registers team-leading 30 digs in non-conference setback 

Brookline, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to the Nighthawks of Newbury College in non-conference action this evening at the Pappas Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Newbury 3 (20-25, 31-29, 20-25, 18-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (2-9) | Newbury (2-6)

Set One

In the opening set, the Nighthawks jumped out to a 9-3 lead, only to be outscored 10-4 in the middle of the set, tying the opening frame at 13-13. The Nighthawks created breathing room in the late portions of the set, leading by as many as five, before finishing the set 25-20 on a Falcons error.

Set Two

In the second set, the Nighthawks defended against three set points for the Falcons, tying the second at 24-24. The battle continued with Newbury having two set points, both of which they couldn't take advantage of. On the Falcons seventh set point, Fitchburg State finally broke through with a kill by junior Emily Beauvais (Haverhill, Mass./Winchendon School) to take the second set 31-29.

Set Three

In the third, the Nighthawks strengthened an early advantage with a 7-1 scoring run to lead 19-12. But the Falcons came out of a timeout winning five straight points to cut the deficit to 19-17. Newbury was able to fend off the attack as both sides traded points until a Falcons service error handed the set to the Nighthawks, 25-20.

Set Four

In the final set, the Falcons took momentum in the early going, starting with a 9-6 lead. The Nighthawks recovered quickly to tie the set at 12-12. The Nighthawks slowly pulled away to a six-point lead due to a mini 4-0 run late in the match to lead 23-17. Back-to-back Falcons errors would eventually end the fourth and final set in favor of the Nighthawks, 25-18.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's matchup will mark just the third meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 2-1 all-time when taking on the Nighthawks.

Fitchburg State had won the first two meetings with Newbury, including a 3-0 decision last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

Falcons sophomore Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury Memorial) finished with a team-high 10 kills, senior Kristina Osborne (Ashby, Mass./North Middlesex) added six kills for Fitchburg State. Sophomore Jessica Peirce (Brentwood, N.H.Exeter) was also solid for the Green and Gold, adding 30 digs and five aces, including a streak of four straight aces in the fourth set.

For the Nighthawks sophomore Monica Bolduk (Vernon, Conn.) finished with a match-high 14 kills, while freshman Sophia Ortiz (Arlington, Tenn.) added a career-high 31 digs.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Pilgrims of New England College on Tuesday for a non-conference tilt, starting at 7:00 PM. Nighthawks will host the Blazers of Elms College on Saturday for an NECC bout with a 12:00 pm start time. 

Release Courtesy of Newbury SID Office