Falcons Fall In Three Sets To Nichols

Coelho finishes with team-best eight assists 

Dudley, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Bison of Nichols College this evening at the Nichols Athletic Center in non-conference action

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Nichols 0 (20-25, 15-25, 24-26)

Records: Fitchburg State (2-19) | Nichols (5-21)

Set One

In the opening set, Fitchburg State took a 3-1 advantage on a kill from senior Kristina Osborne (Ashby, Mass./North Middlesex) before Nichols opened up a 20-11 margin following a service ace by freshman Jayleen Fegan (Mansfield, Conn./E.O. Smith), resulting in the 25-20 first set final.

Set Two

In the second set, the Green and Gold, grabbed a 6-3 edge on a kill by sophomore Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury Memorial), but the Bison responded to take a 17-9 lead as junior Megan Gardner (South Deerfield, Mass./Stoneleigh Burnham School) connected on a kill as the hosts earned a 25-15 second set victory.

Set Three

In the final set, the Green and Gold raced out to a 15-11 edge on a kill from Riccardi before Nichols knotted the score at 17-17 following an attack error. Fitchburg State answered back to take a 24-21 margin as newcomer Jillian Laabs (Dudley, Mass./Shepherd Hill Regional) netted a kill, but the Bison secured the victory connecting on five straight points, resulting in the 26-24 third set final.

Inside the Numbers

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

Nichols won the first matchup with Fitchburg State, 3-0 last season at Worcester State.

Fitchburg State was paced by senior Nicole Sylvester (Everett, Mass./Everett) with five digs, three kills and one service ace, while junior Kathryn Newcomb (Portsmouth, R.I./Portsmouth) finished with a team best three blocking assists and one kill. Sophomore Amy Coelho (Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham) was also solid for the Falcons, collecting eight assists and three digs.

For Nichols, Fegan registered a game-leading 11 digs, 13 kills and five service aces, while Gardner chipped in with 21 assists, four kills, nine digs, two blocking assists and one service ace.

Up Next

Falcons will host Worcester State and Wentworth for a tri-match on Friday as they take on the Lancers and Leopards, starting at 4:00 PM. Bison will host the Fighting Scots of Gordon College on Saturday for a CCC matchup at 6:00 PM.