Vikings Topple Buccaneers 3-1

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass - The Salem State Vikings defeated the Mass Maritime Buccaneers in MASCAC action at Twohig Gymnasium on Tuesday evening in four sets (25-14, 25-23, 17-25, 25-19). The win improved the Vikings' season record to 7-8, with a 2-2 record in the conference, while the Buccaneers dropped to 4-15 overall and 0-4 in the conference. 

Gemma Geisler (Duxbury, Mass.) and Marlo Stark (Groton, Ct.) both led the Mass Maritime offense, each averaging 11 points during the game, while Andrey Manning (Hanover, MA) had an impressive 27 digs. Shayla Narodowg ( Wellington, CO) led Mass Maritime with 30 assists and Geisler had 11 kills. Abigail O'Connor (Gilford, N.H.) proved to be the star for the Vikings, averaging 20 points throughout the game with 16 kills and three blocks. Kailey Roche (Billerica, Mass.) picked up 29 digs, Ariana Barrows (Danvers, Mass.) secured five service aces, and Eva Haralabatos (Melrose, Mass.) chipped in with 22 assists. 

The first set started with Salem State on a 7-2 run, highlighted by O'Connor's three straight serves.

Mass Maritime fought hard to make it a close game, but Salem State remained in control, leading 14-10 when Narodowg made a kill to make it 15-12. The Buccaneers called a time-out  trailing 18-12, but it was too little too late as Salem State took the first set 25-14. For the Vikings, Presley Shairs (Salem, Mass.)  led the charge, averaging seven points in the set.

After the game, outside hitter Gracie Dailey (Peabody, Mass.) added, "We just had our foot on the gas as we liked to say because we really wanted to win this. It was a conference game and it was important for us, so we were really locked in and we were really energetic and happy that we played together."    

In the second set, the game was tied at 2-2 when Barrows broke the tie, firing up the Vikings and putting them up 3-2. Salem State continued to build momentum throughout the second set, leading 13-7 when the Buccaneers' head coach, coach Clark called a time-out. Mass Maritime fought back, inching closer throughout the set, and took the lead at 20-18. The Vikings however, were determined to come back, and they tied it at 21-all before eventually winning the set 25-23. In the second set, Geisler, Stark, and Ashleigh Catlett (Prince Frederick, Md.) were averaging 12 points combined per set, while O'Connor led the Vikings with 10 points. 

Salem State started the third set with a 6-2 run, but Mass Maritime fought back, tying the game at 11-all with an 8-3 run. The teams remained competitive, as Mass Maritime turned a 10-4 deficit into a 16-14 lead following a Stark kill as the Buccaneers took the third set 25-17.   

In the fourth set, the Vikings were down 4-2 when O'Connor blocked a shot to stir up the home team. Salem State fought back with a 5-0 run, highlighted by Roche's incredible dig that prevented the Buccaneers from scoring. The Vikings took the fourth set 25-19, securing the victory. O'Connor ended up with an impressive 20 points, while Stark and Geisler had 19 and 18 points, respectively, for Mass Maritime. 

After the game coach McNulty, expressed how her team was able to bounce back. "I think they believed in themselves and they know what they are capable of. I think they motivated themselves and Abigail (O'Connor) played very well. I think that was really important and Ari(ana) played well, it was a good team win"  

The Vikings will now travel to take on MCLA this upcoming Saturday, with the match starting at 1:00 p.m.