Falcons Clipped By Fisher In Three Sets

Osborne notches four blocks in non-conference setback

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's volleyball team suffered a tough 3-0 setback to the Falcons of Fisher College this afternoon in non-conference action at the Windsor School.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Fisher 3 (16-25, 20-25, 21-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (2-14) | Fisher (9-6)

Set One

In the first set, Fitchburg State took an early 3-0 advantage on a kill by senior Kristina Osborne (Ashby, Mass./North Middlesex) before Fisher answered back to take a 10-9 margin following an attack error. The hosts secured the opening set victory after sophomore Periya Yath (Amherst, Mass./Amherst) converted a kill for the 25-16 final.

Set Two

In the second set, the visitors grabbed a 10-4 lead on a kill by freshman Chyna Carter (Avondale, Ariz./Desert Edge). Fitchburg State battled back to make the score 24-20 as sophomore Amy Coelho (Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham) notched a service ace. The Fisher College Falcons closed out the set however when newcomer Yeryvel Catala (Gurabo, Puerto Rico/Gurabo) collected a kill, resulting in the 25-20 second set victory.

Set Three

In the final set, Fisher raced out to a 4-1 edge after an attack error before Fitchburg State knotted the score at 19-19 following an assisted block by sophomore Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury) and junior Emily Beauvais (Haverhill, Mass./The Winchendon School) The hosts would take six of the final eight points however, resulting in the 25-21 third set final.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's match marked the first ever meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court.

Fitchburg State was paced by Riccardi with a team-best ten digs, five kills and two blocks, while Coelho added nine assists, one service ace and eight digs. Osborne was also strong for the Green and Gold, collecting four blocks, three kills, one assist and one service ace.

For Fisher, senior Natie Manalo (San Francisco, Calif./Lowell) registered a match-best 14 digs, ten assists, one kill and one service ace, while sophomore Lia Aime (Las Piedras, Puerto Rico/Colegio Nuestra Semora) chipped in with 15 assists, six digs and two service aces.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Mass. Maritime Academy on Tuesday to take on the Buccaneers for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 7:00 PM. Fisher will host the Bengals of UMaine Fort Kent tomorrow for a pair of matches, starting at 10:00 AM.