Falcons End Vikings' Season in Five Set Thriller

FITCHBURG, Mass. –- Fitchburg State held off Salem State in five sets to secure the sixth and final seed in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Tournament next week. The Falcons survived, winning 25-20, 22-25, 25-21, 24-26, 15-8, and improved to 5-14 and 2-5 in the MASCAC. The Vikings end their season 6-15 and 2-5 in conference.

Fitchburg State won a closely contested first set, 25-20 behind the strong play of Samantha Mirra and Stephanie Sardella, who combined for seven kills. The Falcons built a 16-12 lead, but Salem State rallied, cutting the deficit to 19-18. However, the Vikings fifth service error of the set gave momentum back to Fitchburg State, who closed the set scoring six of the final eight points.

The Vikings raced out to a 6-1 lead in set two as Presley Shairs ripped off three straight kills. The Falcons drew to within, 14-10, but a kill by Gracie Dailey and the fifth kill of the set by Shairs pushed the lead to 18-11. Salem State seemed to be in command, but Fitchburg State rallied, taking advantage of four attack errors and a kill by Gabrielle Griffiths to draw to within 21-19. The Vikings recovered as a kill by Eva Haralabatos and a service error gave the set to Salem State, 25-22.

The Falcons and Vikings battled in a tightly played third set before Fitchburg State opened up a 20-15 lead following a kill by Sariah Dyer. Once again, Salem State came back, as a kill by Abigail O'Connor brought Salem State to within 22-21. Fitchburg closed the set with three straight points with an ace by Emily Gelinas accounting for the final point.

The Vikings held on to win a thrilling fourth set, as the two teams exchanged points. Back-to-back service aces by Haralabatos put Salem State on top 17-13. Trailing 21-16 the Falcons made it a game, including scoring four straight points to tie the set 24-24, behind two aces by Shianne Harewood., as the Vikings could not secure the deciding point. A service error and attack finally gave Salem State the 26-24 victory.

The Falcons jumped on top 12-6 in the final set as Salem State's offense struggled on the attack. Three kills by Sariah Dyer set up Fitchburg State to close the match on a Sardella kill for a 15-10 win. 

Shairs led Salem State with 20 kills, nine digs and three blocks. Dailey played will, contributing 10 kills and 12 digs while Kailey Roche added a match-high 35 digs with three aces. Haralabatos led all players with 36 assists while adding 15 digs.       

Sardella finished with a match-high 19 kills with 27 digs. Mirra added 12 kills, five aces and 24 digs. Emily Gelinas topped Fitchburg State with 22 assists and supported the defense with 12 digs.