Rams Sweep Vikings 3-0

SALEM, Mass. – Brandee Thomas (North Kingstown, R.I.) had 12 kills and recorded seven digs as Framingham State raced past Salem State 3-0 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup at Twohig Gymnasium on Wednesday evening. The Rams won by scores of 25-15, 25-22 and 25-20 to improve to 15-10 on the year and 5-1 in conference. The Vikings slide to 1-17 overall and 1-5 in conference. 

Neither side hit well in the first set, but an 8-3 run by Framingham State broke open a tight match and gave the Rams a 20-13 lead. Kills from Thomas and Payton Hodsdon (Somersworth, N.H.) and a host of Salem State errors contributed to the run. Another kill by Hodson brought Framingham State to within a point of victory before an attack error by Salem State gave the Rams a 25-15 win.

The Rams held off Salem State for a three-point win in set two (25-22) and rallied from a 3-0 deficit in set three to overcome a fast start by Salem State. Three straight attack errors accounted for the first three Vikings' points. With the set tied 10-all, Alyssa Cafarelli (Peoria, Ariz.) set up three straight points off the serve, assisted by two kills from Brandey Rodriguez (Lawrence, Mass.). Salem State battled back and pulled to within a point (13-12) on a kill from Darcy McDowell (Goshe, N.Y.). However, six straight points off the serve of Morgan Failla (Providence, R.I) helped the Rams build a 20-12 lead. Despite hitting just .034 for the set with 10 errors on 29 attempts, Framingham State pulled away to win 25-20.

Hailey Sanders (Franklin, Mass.) had 10 kills and Rodriguez added nine for Framingham State. Faila finished with 30 assists while Cafarelli had a game-high 27 digs.

Alexandra Maloney (Bridgewater, Mass.) led Salem State with six kills while Emily Hennessy (Hanover, Mass.) totaled 12 digs. Morgan Adams (Scotia, N.Y.) had 22 assists for the Vikings.