Falcons Fall To Panthers In Straight Sets

Anderson and Guzman combine for 15 digs in non-conference setback

Plymouth, N.H. - The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team dropped a 3-0 straight sets decision to the Panthers of Plymouth State University in non-conference action this evening from the Foley Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Plymouth State 0 (11-25, 5-25, 13-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-7) | Plymouth State (16-1)

How It Happened

Trailing 5-3, Fitchburg State knotted the score 5-5 on a kill from senior Kathryn Newcomb (Portsmouth, R.I.) before Plymouth State answered with a point from freshman Emilee Flanagan (Milton, N.H.) for the 6-5 margin. The Green and Gold cut the lead to 9-7 on a service ace by senior Jaquelyn Manyak (Bolton, Mass.), but the Panther took the first set, 25-11 as junior Francie Shaffer (Frederick, Colo.) connected on a kill.

In the second set, Plymouth State raced out to an early 4-0 margin following a kill by Shaffer, but Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 4-1 on kill from Newcomb. The Panthers would go on a 9-0 run to take a 20-2 lead, capped by a point of a Flanagan serve. The Falcons would chip the lead to 24-5 on points from junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) and senior Emily Beauvais (Greenfield, N.H.) but that's as close the visitors would get as the hosts secured the 25-5, second set triumph.

Fitchburg State opened the third set with a 2-1 edge on a service ace from junior Perry Joubert (Seekonk, Mass.) before Plymouth State grabbed a 4-2 lead. The Falcons responded with a kill from Anderson, but the Panthers upped its advantage (22-12) as sophomore Jaia Woodland (Charlottesville, Va.) notched a kill, resulting in the 25-13 final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark the first ever meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court

Fitchburg State was led by junior Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass.) with six digs, tow kills and one assist, while sophomore Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn.) added nine digs and one assists.

Manyak was also solid for the Green and Gold, finishing with five assists, one dig and one service ace.

For Plymouth State, senior Lexi Bowers (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) registered seven service aces and four kills, while sophomore Alexa Price (Moultonborough, N.H.) chipped in with 12 assists, four service aces, five digs and one kill.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Worcester State on Friday to take on the Lancers for a MASCAC tilt starting at 6:00 PM. Panthers will host the Corsairs of UMass Dartmouth and the Eagles of Husson College on Saturday for a tri-match starting at 12:00 PM.