Falcons Clipped By Trailblazers In MASCAC Quarterfinal

Mirra sets program record for career digs

North Adams, Mass. – The sixth seeded Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to the third seeded Trailblazers of MCLA this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Amsler Gymnasium.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, MCLA 3 (15-25, 11-25, 25-20, 13-25)

Records: Fitchburg State (5-15, 2-5 MASCAC) MCLA (16-7, 5-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened

First Set
MCLA grabbed an early 6-1 edge on a kill from Chloe Garber (Eagle River, Ak.) before Fitchburg State cut the lead to 9-5 as sophomore Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) registered a kill. The Falcons continued to battle as junior Emily Gelinas (Westfield, Mass.) notched a service ace (16-10), but the Trailblazers secured the first set 25-15 as Anais Badio (Las Vegas, Nev.) netted a kill.

Second Set
The two teams traded points to start the second set (3-3) as freshman Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) collected a kill, but MCLA would take a 14-6 edge on a kill from Garber. The Green and Gold trimmed the lead to 19-10 when Mirra notched another kill before the hosts took the second set 25-11 with Abigail Cummings (Lyman, Maine) delivering a service ace.

Third Set
The Falcons opened the third set with a 5-2 margin on a pair of kills from sophomore Sariah Dyer (Raynham, Mass.) before the Trailblazers answered, knotting the score at 16-16. Fitchburg State forced a fourth set however when Sardella notched a service ace and Dyer added a kill for the 25-20 third set triumph.

Fourth Set
The Trailblazers went on a 5-0 run to start the fourth set, but Fitchburg State countered (12-5) as Sardella and Mirra notched kills. MCLA responded with a 6-1 stretch, capped by an Ella Walter-Goodspeed (Auburn, Wash.) service for the 19-7 lead. The Falcons answered with a kill from senior Meredith Taylor (Reading, Mass.) to reduce the deficit to 21-12 before the Trailblazers closed out the match, resulting in the 25-13, fourth set final.

Inside the Numbers'

This evenings contest marked the 17th meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with Fitchburg State 9-8 all-time when taking on MCLA

Fitchburg State was led by Mirra with a team-best eight kills and 11 digs, while Dyer added seven kills and three digs. Gelinas was also solid for the Green and Gold, collecting a team-leading 16 assists, one kill, two service aces and 14 digs.

For MCLA, Garber registered a match-best 15 kills, two service aces, 18 digs, one solo block and two blocking assists, while Badio chipped in with 11 kills, one service ace, five digs and two solo blocks.

With her 11 digs, Fitchburg State sophomore outside hitter Samantha Mirra (Burlington, Mass.) set the Falcons all-time program record for digs in a career with 421, surpassing the previous mark of 412 held by former Falcon Jessica Peirce.

Up Next

Falcons concluded their 2022 regular season with an overall record of 5-15 and a 2-5 mark within conference play.