Owls Rally to Defeat Fitchburg in Four Sets

Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State volleyball team picked up a four set victory (21-25, 25-14, 25-11, 25-14) on the road against conference opponent Fitchburg State Tuesday night. Senior Ashley Crowley (Billerica, Mass.) led the way for the Owls as she posted a match-high 11 kills including the game-winning kill in set four to move the Owls to 3-1 in MASCAC play.

In set one, Fitchburg State grabbed an 11-5 edge in the opening set on a kill and a solo block from graduate student Lauren Riccardi (Tewksbury, Mass.) before Westfield State cut the deficit to 15-13 as Ashley Crowley notched a kill. The Falcons closed out the first though on anther kill by Riccardi and a solo block from senior Leah Sheehan (Billerica, Mass.), resulting in the 25-21 final.

The Owls would respond in set two, jumping out to a quick 3-0 advantage on a service ace by sophomore Bridgette McAndrews (Longmeadow, Mass.). Fitchburg would tighten the score towards the middle part of the set, but the Owls put together a massive run by registering 12 of the final 14 points in the set, capped off by a Sarah Bingham (Reno, Nev.) kill.

In set three, the Owls came alive late in the set once again, including a 6-1 run in the middle of the set followed by a 9-5 burst, which resulted in a 25-11 triumph. Shawna Crowley (Billerica, Mass.) finished the set with a kill to put the Owls up 2-1 in the match.

With momentum on their side, the Owls scored the first six points of the fourth set as McAndrews continued to established her service game dominance with a pair of aces. Fending off a late charge by the Falcons, the Owls shut the door by scoring six of the final seven points of the set to seal the match.

McAndrews totaled ten service aces on the night while also providing eight kills and nine digs. Shawna Crowley compiled eleven digs and nine kills. Senior Jess Haradon (Mansfield, Mass.) led the Owls with 15 digs and sophomore Julia Dangel-Garcia (Ashland, Mass.) continued to be the focal point as the setter as she compiled 31 assists.

Westfield State (4-16, 3-1 MASCAC) will look to continue their conference success as they host a tri-match with Bridgewater State and Elms at 11:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. on Homecoming weekend this Saturday. Fitchburg State (1-15, 0-4 MASCAC) will host a tri-match of their own on Friday against Framingham State and WPI.