Falcons Fall to Vikings in Season Finale

Salem, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Vikings of Salem State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Salem State 3 (22-25, 20-25, 13-25)
Records: Fitchburg State (3-18, 1-6 MASCAC) | Salem State (4-16, 2-5 MASCAC)

Set One

Fitchburg held a slim 7-6 lead after a kill from Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass.) early in set one. With senior Emily Beauvais (Greenfield, NH) serving the Falcons pushed the lead to 12-8. However the Viking went on a 12-3 run to take a commanding 20-15 lead. The Green and Gold went on a run of their own and trailed 23-22 after a kill from Jillian Laabs (Dudley, Mass.). Salem closed out the set with a kill from Sarah Janco (Methuen, Mass.).

Set Two

Fitchburg State gathered a 15-14 advantage on a kill by sophomore Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.) before Salem State took an 18-16 edge as Darcy McDowell (Goshen, N.Y.) notched a kill. The Falcons cut the deficit to 23-19 on a kill from Beauvais, but the Vikings secured the second set on a kill by Haley Reed (Goffstown, N.H.), resulting in the 25-20 final.

Set Three

Trailing in the third set, the Green and Gold cut the lead to 6-4 on a service ace by Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn.). Salem State responded with a 6-2 run, capped by a Morgan Adams (Scotia, N.Y.) kill to take a 15-6 advantage as the Vikings took the final set 25-13.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the 23rd meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 4-19 all-time when taking on the Vikings

Salem State has won the last seven meetings with Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 decision last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium

Fitchburg State was led by Anderson with a team-best 14 digs, three kills, one service ace and one assist, while junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) added eight kills, one blocking assist and seven digs

For Salem State, McDowell finished with a match-leading 14 kills and six digs, while junior Michelle Le (Dorchester, Mass.) chipped in with 12 digs, one assist and four service aces

Up Next

The Falcons have concluded their 2019 campaign. Vikings clinched the sixth seed in the upcoming 2019 MASCAC Women's Volleyball post-season tournament with the win.