Falcons Defeated By Lancers In MASCAC Action

Riccardi and Taylor net five kills each for Fitchburg State in conference setback 

Worcester, Mass. - The Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team dropped a 3-0 straight sets decision to the Lancers  of Worcester State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening from the John P. Brissette Court.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Worcester State 3 (16-25, 12-25, 14-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-8, 1-1 MASCAC) | Worcester State (4-8, 2-0 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Worcester State raced out to an early 12-1 margin in the first set on a service ace from senior Stephanie Chapin (Hampden, Mass.) before Fitchburg State went on a 7-0 run as senior Emily Beauvais (Greenfield, N.H.) connected on a kill. The Falcons cut the deficit to 24-16 on a service ace by sophomore Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass.) but the Lancers secured the first set on a kill by Chapin for the 25-16 victory.

In the second set, the hosts grabbed a 6-1 edge on a kill by sophomore Natalie Gills (Ashland, Mass.), while the Falcons responded (7-3) on kills from junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) and senior Kathryn Newcomb (Portsmouth, R.I.). Following a kill and service ace by Riccardi, Worcester State closed out the middle set with a Chapin kill for the 25-12 final.

Worcester State opened the final set with a 5-0 advantage on a trio of kills from Gillis, but Fitchburg State countered with a kill by junior Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass.) to cut the deficit to 10-3. The Green and Gold would cut the lead to 21-11 on kills from Riccardi and Taylor, but the Lancers answered back with a service as from senior Katie Gagnon (Hampden, Mass.) resulting in the 25-14, third set final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark the 16th meeting between the two teams on the volleyball court with the Falcons 11-5 all-time when taking on the Lancers

Worcester State has won the last four matchups with Fitchburg State,, including a 3-0 decision last season at the John P. Brissette Court

Fitchburg State was paced by Riccardi with five kills, three service aces and three digs, while Taylor added five kills, one assist, one service ace and five digs

Junior Amy Coelho (Bellingham, Mass.) was also solid for the Green and Gold, finishing with six digs, two kills, four assists and one service ace

For Worcester State, Gillis led the way with a match-best 16 kills, one assist and one dig, while Chapin chipped in with seven kills, two assists, two service aces and eight digs

Up Next

Falcons will host the Trailblazers of MCLA on Wednesday for a conference matchup, starting at 6:00 PM. Lancers will travel to Bridgewater State on the same date for a conference bout at 6:00 PM.