Falcons Notch Five Set Thriller Victory Over Vikings On Senior Day

Sardella and Mirra combine for 31 kills to lead Green and Gold

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Volleyball Team defeated the Vikings of Salem State, 3-2 this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Parkinson Gymnasium on senior day.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 3, Salem State 2 (25-20, 22-25, 25-21, 24-26, 15-11)

Records: Fitchburg State (5-14, 2-5 MASCAC) Salem State (6-15, 2-5 MASCAC)

How It Happened

First Set
Fitchburg State took an early 9-6 edge on a service ace from sophomore Shianne Harewood (Sterling, Mass.) before Salem State trimmed the lead to 13-12 on a defensive miscue. The Falcons went on a 4-0 run, capped by a Gabrielle Griffiths (Bedford, Mass.) block for the 17-12 lead. The Vikings responded with kill by Grace Dailey (Peabody, Mass.), but the Green and Gold secured the first set on a kill from freshman Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) for the 25-20 final.

Second Set
Salem State raced out to an 8-1 lead as newcomer Presley Shairs (Salem, Mass.) notched three kills. Fitchburg State rallied to trim the deficit to 21-20 on a Griffiths kill before the Vikings took the second set 25-22 following a kill from sophomore Eva Haralabatos (Melrose, Mass.).

Third Set
The Green and Gold grabbed a 7-4 margin as sophomore Sariah Dyer (Raynham, Mass.) and Sardella collected kills, but the Vikings answered with a Maggie McQuade (North Andover, Mass.) service ace to make the score 11-10. Trailing 22-16, Salem State went on a 5-1 streak to trim the lead to 22-21 before Fitchburg State notched a 25-21, third set triumph on a service ace from junior Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.). 

Fourth Set
Salem State started the fourth set with a 9-4 advantage on a kill by junior Abigail O'Connor (Gilford, N.H.) before the Green and Gold responded with a trio of service aces from sophomore Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) to trim the lead to 9-8. The Falcons continued to battle, eventually knotting the score at 24-24 as Harewood notched a service ace, but the Vikings forced a fifth set following a pair of miscues for the 26-24, fourth set victory.

Fifth Set
The Falcons grabbed a 6-1 margin in the fifth set as Sardella netted a pair of kills, but Salem State countered with a kill from senior Charlotte Orth (Bourne, Mass.) to reduce the lead to 12-8. Fitchburg State closed out the match however with two Sardella kills, resulting in the 15-10, fifth set victory.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the 25th meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with Fitchburg State 5-20 all-time when taking on Salem State.

Fitchburg State was paced by Sardella with a career-best 19 kills and 27 digs, while Mirra added 12 kills, two assists, five service aces, 24 digs and one solo block. Dyer was also solid for the Green and Gold, collecting eight kills, one service ace, four digs and three solo blocks.

For Salem State, Shairs finished with a match best 20 kills, one assist, nine digs and three solo blocks, while Dailey chipped in with ten kills, one service ace and 12 digs.

This afternoon is senior day and the Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team honored their lone senior, Meredith Taylor for her contributions to the program

Up Next

Falcons concluded their regular season this afternoon and await its seeding into the upcoming 2022 MASCAC post-season Women's Volleyball tournament.