Owls Rally Late to Edge Framingham in Marquee MASCAC Clash

Owls go the distance to pick up decisive victory over rival Framingham

The Westfield State volleyball team huddles in a timeout.
Video Box Score
September 25, 2021

Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State volleyball team (2-12, 1-1 MASCAC) went the distance to pick up a key victory over conference rival Framingham (17-25, 33-31, 21-25, 25-18, 15-10) on the road Saturday night. The Owls won a decisive battle in a match-up between the league's top two preseason MASCAC teams as the Owls were paced on the attack by 16 kills apiece from sophomore Bridgette McAndrews (Longmeadow, Mass.) and senior Ashley Crowley (Billerica, Mass.). McAndrews filled the stat sheet with 14 digs and two aces, while Crowley added eight digs. 

After dropping the first set, the Owls won a marathon second set that consisted of several runs by each team. The Rams opened the set with a 14-5 lead, but the Owls battled back pulling within one, 19-18. The Rams pushed the lead back to four, 24-20, but the Owls would fend off four consecutive set points to tie the frame at 24-24.  The two teams went back and forth trading points until the Owls closed the set with a pair of kills for the 33-31 advantage. 

The Rams would pick up the third set, but in set four, the Owls would go on an 11-4 run to take a 20-13 lead and eventually win the set to even the score at two sets apiece.

In the deciding set, the Owls opened up an 8-4, but the Rams closed the gap to one on a pair of occasions including 10-9.  The Owls used a 5-1 run to close the set and secure the victory in the match. 

Shawna Crowley (Billerica, Mass.) recorded a double double of her own with 12 kills and 16 digs, while Jess Haradon (Mansfield, Mass.) led all Owls with 28 defensive digs. 

Rams sophomore Hailey Sanders recorded 17 kills with four blocks, while freshman Valerie Sullivan added 14 kills. Isabel Henwood paced the defensive effort with 24 digs and two aces, while Morgan Failla finished the match with 36 assists and five aces. 

The Owls will look to carry the momentum into their next game against conference opponent Salem State on Wednesday night at the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass at 7:00 P.M. Framingham (6-6, 1-1 MASCAC) will travel to Mass. Maritime on Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.