Salem State Improves to 4-1 in MASCAC

Fitchburg, Mass. –  Morgan Adams (Scotia, N.Y.) had 20 assists and 15 digs while Brynn O'Neill (Danvers, Mass.) added nine kills, one service ace and three digs as Salem State defeated Fitchburg State 3-0 (15-25, 17-25, 9-25) in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at Parkinson Gymnasium. The Vikings move to 12-8 and 4-1 in the MASCAC while the Falcons go to 2-17 and 0-5.   

Set One

In the opening set, Salem State took a 3-1 margin on a service ace by junior Adams before Fitchburg State knotted the score (5-5) after a bad set. The Vikings regained the lead on a kill from junior Alexandra Maloney (Bridgewater, Mass.), resulting in the 25-15 first set final.  

Set Two

In the second set, the Falcons grabbed a 9-5 edge following a kill by senior Kathryn Carroll (Shrewsbury, Mass.). The Vikings battled back to take a 12-11 lead on an attack error before senior Payton Pizzano (Stoughton, Mass.) closed out the second set for the visitors with a service ace for the 25-17 final.

Set Three

In the final set, Salem State opened up a 10-1 advantage as sophomore Genevieve Kempster (Hopedale, Mass.) converted a kill. Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 14-4 following a kill by Carroll, but the Vikings went on to notch five of the final six points of the set, resulting in the 25-9 third set final

This morning's matchup will mark the 22nd meeting between the two squads on the volleyball court with the Falcons 4-18 all-time when taking on the Vikings.

Salem State has won the last six meetings with Fitchburg State, including a 3-0 decision last season at the Twohig Gymnasium.

Fitchburg State was led by sophomore Perry Joubert (Seekonk, Mass.) with a team-leading ten digs, while Carroll added five kills and one assist. Sophomore Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) was also solid for the Falcons, collecting seven digs, two kills and two assists.