Vikings Sweep Fitchburg State

SALEM, Mass. - Darcy McDowell (Goshen, NY) posted 14 kills and added six digs to spark the Salem State Vikings to a 3-0 sweep over the Fitchburg State Falcons on Senior Day to sneak into the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Tournament. The Vikings won by scores of 25-22, 25-20, 25-13. Seniors Emily Hennessy (Hanover, Mass.), Morgan Adams (Scotia, NY), Alexandra Maloney (Bridgewater, Mass.), and Haley Reed were recognized for their commitment and dedication to the program throughout their tenure at Salem State. The Vikings are now 2-18 on the season and 2-5 in the MASCAC. Fitchburg State falls to 3-17 on the year and 1-6 in conference.

In the first set, it was a back and forth affair as the game was tied 8-8 with a service ace from Emily Beauvais (Greenville, NH). Beauvais' serving pushed the Falcons to score six unanswered points to lead 12-8. The Vikings responded with a 6-0 run of themselves with kills from Genevieve Kempster (Hopedale, Mass.) and Sarah Janco (Methuen, Mass.). Salem State pulled away to win the first set 25-22 with a kill from Janco.

In the second set, Salem State led 8-5. It was a tightly contested set as it was tied at 12. There were a total of seven ties within the set. After the Vikings led 17-16, McDowell dominated with three consecutive kills to give the Salem State a cushion. The Vikings went on to win the set 25-20.

In the third, Salem State led 12-6 to force a Fitchburg State timeout. The team was getting contributions from everyone to build a lead. The Vikings commanded the rest of the third set to win 25-13.

For Salem State, Janco finished with 11 kills and three digs, and Hennessy added 12 digs.

For the Falcons, Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) contributed eight kills and seven digs. Paige Anderson (Winchendon, Mass.) helped with 14 digs and three kills.