Falcons Fall to Trailblazers, 3-0

Fitchburg, Mass.– The Fitchburg State women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to the Trailblazer of MCLA this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, MCLA 3 (15-25, 15-25, 23-25)
Records: Fitchburg State (3-9, 1-2 MASCAC) | MCLA (10-5, 2-1 MASCAC)

Set One
MCLA held a slim 6-5 lead after a pair of defensive errors, then went on a 8-1 run including three straight points off of sophomore Ahna Schlaefer (Lee, Mass.) serve.  The Falcons cut the deficit to 18-11 after a pair of points off a block from senior Emily Beauvais (Greenfield, NH) and a service ace from sophomore Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass.). The Trailblazers secured the first set victory on a kill by sophomore Reagan Scattergood (Rhinebeck, NY), resulting in the 25-15 opening set final.

Set Two

In the second set, the Trailblazers grabbed a 10-3 when Schlaefer held server for a 6-0 run. The Falcons cut the lead to 18-11 following a kill from Beauvais, but MCLA took the second set, 25-15 following an ace from freshman Kelly Moczulski (New River, Ariz.).

Set Three

In the final set, trailing 5-2 the Falcons reeled off seven straight and took a 7-5 advantage on a kill from senior Kathryn Newcomb (Portsmouth, RI). The green and gold continued to hold the lead (13-11) after a kill from Beauvais. MCLA rallied to take a 15-14 lead off a defensive miscue, the then teams traded points and were knotted 20-20 after a kill from Trailblazers sophomore Kelsey LaFreniere (Becket, Mass.).  A kill from junior Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) closed the gap for the hosts to 24-23, however a service error gave the blue and gold the victory.

Inside the Numbers

• This evening's contest marked 14th meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with the Falcons currently 9-5 all-time when taking on the Trailblazers.
• MCLA has won the last five contests against Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 decision last season at the Parkinson Gymnasium.
  
• Fitchburg State was led by Anderson with a team-best eight digs, three kills and an assist, Newcomb added two digs, five kills and two assists. Junior Amy Coelho (Bellingham, Mass.) was also solid for the Falcons, collecting eleven assists and five digs.
• For MCLA, senior Tessa Sestito (Corona, Calif.) finished with a double-double, 11 digs and 21 assists. Moczulski finished with a team-leading 10 kills, one assist, six digs and a pair of service aces

Up Next

Falcons will host Colby-Sawyer College next Thursday (10/10) for a non-conference bout, starting at 6:00 PM. Trailblazers will visit Utica on Saturday for a non-conference tri-match with King's (PA) at 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM.