Falcons Drop 3-0 Decision To Bison in 2021 Season Opener

Dudley, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Bison of Nichols College in non-conference action this evening from the Nichols Athletic Center as both teams opened their 2021 campaigns.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Nichols (20-25, 11-25, 13-25)
Records: Fitchburg State (0-1, 0-0 MASCAC) | Nichols 3 (1-0, 0-0 CCC)

Set One
Fitchburg State opened the first set with a 2-1 edge on kills from senior Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.) and freshman Sariah Dyer (Raynham, Mass.) before Nichols went on an 5-0 run to take a 13-8 advantage following a kill by sophomore Megan Hendrickson (Wolcott, Conn.) The Falcons answered cut the deficit to 19-14 as graduate student Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) connected on a trio of service aces, but the Bison secured the 25-20 set one win as Hendrickson notched the service ace.

Set Two
Nichols started the second set with a 7-0 run, capped by a Hendrickson point, but the Green and Gold responded with a Catherine Goodearl (Marstons Mills, Mass.) kill to make the score 14-5. The Bison however closed out the second set on a kill from freshman Ryley Plourde (Bristol, Conn.) for the 25-11 final.

Set Three

Trailing in the third set, Fitchburg State cut the lead to 5-4 on kills by Dyer and Riccardi, before the hosts went on a 4-0 run, highlighted by a Plourde kill. The Falcon would make the score 21-13 as Dyer and sophomore Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.) notched kills, but the Bison registered the 25-13 third set win on a service by sophomore Liz Diorio (Wolcott, Conn.).

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest marked the fourth meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 0-4 all-time when taking on the Bison.

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

Fitchburg State was led by Dyer with a team-best six kills and four digs, while graduate student Perry Joubert (Seekonk, Mass.) added seven assists, two digs and one blocking assists.

For Nichols, senior Rachael Velleux (Wrentham, Mass.) finished with a game best 21 assists, one kill, three digs and five service aces, while sophomore Haylee Granato (Bolton, Conn.) collected 12 kills, four digs and two blocking assists.

Up Next

The Falcons will host the Bulldogs of Dean College for a non-conference tilt on Friday, starting at 6:00 PM. Bison return to action next Saturday as they travel to Lesley University for a non-conference match, beginning at 12:00 PM.