Falcons Rebound Over Buccaneers With 3-1 Conference Victory

Guzman and Anderson combine for 36 digs in conference triumph 

Fitchburg, Mass. - The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team defeated the Buccaneers of Mass. Maritime Academy, 3-1 this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 3, Mass. Maritime 1 (25-20, 25-23, 17-25, 27-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (2-6, 1-0 MASCAC) | Mass. Maritime (1-7, 0-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State took a 4-1 edge to open the first set on a kill by sophomore Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass.) before Mass. Maritime took a 6-5 edge as sophomore Madison Morrill (Westborough, Mass.) recorded a kill. The Falcons would take the first set as senior Kathryn Newcomb (Portsmouth, R.I.) closed out the set with a solo block for the 25-20 final.

In the second set, the Green and Gold grabbed a 7-3 lead following a service error, but the Buccaneers rallied to tie the set at 8-8 on a kill from freshman Alexa Smith (Shippensberg, Penn.). Fitchburg State answered back with a kill by Newcomb to make the score 17-14, while the hosts eventually secured the second set on a point off an Amy Coelho (Bellingham, Mass.) serve, resulting in the 25-23 victory.

Mass. Maritime battled back to win the third set as the Buccaneers held a 7-4 margin on a kill by junior Madison Coughlin (Monroe, Conn.) before Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 16-12 on kill from junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.). The visitors responded with a kill by newcomer Kolby Barbieri (Haverhill, Mass.) as the Buccaneers won the set 25-17.

In the final set, Mass. Maritime held an 11-6 edge following a kill from freshman Isabelle Miazga (Rocky Hill, Conn.), but Fitchburg State knotted the score at 12-12 on another kill by Riccardi. Trailing 24-22, the Buccaneers answered back to retie the contest at 25-25 as Morrill netted a kill for the visitor before the Falcons took the final two points of the contest, resulting in the 27-25, fourth set final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark the 19th meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 16-3 all-time when taking on the Buccaneers

Mass. Maritime had won the previous two matchups with Fitchburg State, including a 3-2 decision last season at the Clean Harbor Athletic Center

Fitchburg State was led by sophomore Chloe Guzman (Pawtucket, Conn.) with 25 digs and one service ace, while Riccardi added ten kills, one service aces, seven digs and three blocks.

Coelho was also solid for the Green and Gold, collecting eight assists, three service aces and four digs.

For Mass. Maritime, senior Marie Harrison (Weymouth, Mass.) finished with a game-leading 27 digs and 12 kills, while classmate Michelle Sheehan (Attleboro, Mass.) chipped in with 34 assists and three digs.

Up Next

Falcons will host the AMCATS of Anna Maria College on Thursday for a non-conference tilt, starting at 6:00 PM. Buccaneers will travel to Suffolk University on Saturday for a non-conference bout at 11:00 AM.