Salem State Defeats Fisher in Four Sets

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

Salem, Mass.- Salem State defeated Fisher three sets to one (25-13, 17,25, 31-33, 22-25) at Twohig Gymnasium. Salem State improves to 5-5 overall while Fisher drops to 5-7.  

Abigail O'Connor (Gilford, N.H) and Presley Shairs (Salem, Mass.)  combined for 31 points.  Kailey Roche (Billerica, Mass.) led the team with 33 digs while Celia Carbone had an impressive 38 assists during the game. Shairs also contributed with 14 kills.  

Prior to the game, coach McNulty expressed what it would take to defeat Fisher,  who they met earlier in the season. "We need to serve well and play more aggressively and strategically, as Fisher did that against us." 

Salem State found themselves in a tough spot in the first set when they were down 3-0. However, coach McNulty called a time-out and the Vikings were able to score three of the next four points. Despite their efforts, the Falcons continued to dominate in the first set, leading the Vikings by seven with a 10-3 lead. Salem State attempted to make a comeback from the 20-8 deficit, but the lead was too significant, resulting in a loss for the Vikings with the first set ending at 25 to 13.  

In the first set, Ariana Barrows (Danvers, Mass.), Shairs and Dawn Eisnor (Medford, Mass.) each averaged two points during the set. The Vikings were determined to turn the game around in the second set and began with an impressive 8-3 lead, forcing Fisher to call a timeout. The Vikings continued to dominate, increasing their lead to 12-3. During the run, Kailey Roche (Billerica, Mass.) made an impressive dive to the ground, resulting in a point for the Vikings. The Vikings managed to win the set 25-17. 

In the third set, Fisher started with a 4-0 run, but Salem State was determined to make a comeback. Eisnor's serving helped the Vikings earn four straight points, making it a one-point game at 9-8. Carbone made an impressive block, bringing the score to 10-9, and the Vikings players were excited as they felt the energy. Despite losing by two, they were determined to make a comeback. The score was 16-14 in favor of the Falcons when O'Connor tipped the ball to the left side, tying the game at 19. Barrows put the Vikings ahead by one as Salem State was looking to steal set three, but Fisher tied the game at 24, extending the set. The back-and-forth battle between the two teams was animated, but in the end, it was the Vikings who came out on top of set three by a score of 33-31.     

After the game coach McNulty talked about how competitive set three was. "I give Fisher a lot of credit. They could have fizzled after the set and we could have too. It takes a lot out of you emotionally, but both teams really fought, it was a good match."  

After three sets, O'Connor averaged 13 points, while Shairs averaged nine points per set. In the fourth set, a Shairs' kill made it a one-point game putting the Vikings up 4-3. Salem State was up 14-9, but Fisher made it a close game, resulting in a one-point lead for the Vikings at 17-16. Coach McNulty called a timeout, and the Vikings went on a 3-0 run. Haley Philips (Haverhill, Mass.) added a kill that hit just inside the line and Fisher had to call a timeout. Philips tied the game at 22 with another impressive play. Salem State eventually won set four, with Shairs and O'Connor combining for 31 points for the game.    

After the game, Shairs talked about how the momentum from tonight's game will carry on to Saturday.  "I think we're fired up, I think this going to help us a lot. I think this going to put us in a good place."    

Next on the schedule for Salem State is a road game against UMass-Boston. Game time is at 2 p.m.