Falcons Fall In Three Sets To Blazers

Joubert nets match-leading 20 digs in non-conference setback

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Blazers of Elms College in non-conference action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Elms 3 (14-25, 15-25, 17-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (2-16) | Elms (14-3)

Set One

In the opening set, Elms took a 4-0 advantage on a kill from senior Danielle Redding (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman) before the Falcons cut the deficit to 10-8 after a service ace by senior Nicole Sylvester (Everett, Mass./Everett). The Blazers closed out the set however by netting four of the final five points, ene-route to the 25-14 first set final.

Set Two

In the second set, the Falcons grabbed a 5-2 margin following an attack error, but Elms rallied to take a 12-9 lead on a block from freshman Sabrina Christie (Agawam, Mass./Agawam). Fitchburg State answered back as Sylvester collected a kill, but the visitors secured the second set victory as Redding converted a kill, resulting in the 25-15 final.

Set Three

In the final set, the Green and Gold opened with a 6-4 edge on a kill from senior Kathryn Carroll (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury). Elms battled back (12-10) as junior Hannah Pichardo (South Glens Falls, N.Y./South Glens Falls) notched a kill, but Fitchburg State answered back with kill from sophomore Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass./The Winchendon School). The Blazer sealed the victory though on a service ace from newcomer Kianna Lozada (Bayamon, P.R./Emadrian Bilingual School) to make the score 25-17.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's matchup will mark just the second ever meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 0-2 all-time when taking on the Blazers.

Elms won the first meeting against Fitchburg State, 3-0 last season at the Maguire Center.

Fitchburg State was paced by sophomore Perry Joubert (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) with a match-leading 20 digs, while senior Jaquelyn Manyak (Bolton, Mass./Nashoba Regional) added four assists, four digs and one kill. Sylvester put forth a strong effort for the Green and Gold as well, finishing with six digs, one kill, one assist and one service ace.

For Elms, Redding led the way with a team-best 16 digs, ten kills, two assists and two service aces, while Piachardo chipped in with nine kills, one assist, four digs and one block.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Vikings of Salem State University on Saturday for a MASCAC clash, starting at 10:00 AM. Blazers will travel to Eastern Nazarene on the same date for an NECC tilt at 11:00 AM.