Rams Outlast Owls in MASCAC Tournament

WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Westfield State Owls women's volleyball team fell to Framingham State 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 28-26, 13-25, 15-8) in the semi-final round of the 2021 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) tournament in the Woodward Center on Thursday, Nov. 4.

The Owls were led by Shawna and Ashley Crowley (Billerica, Mass./ Billerica Memorial) who had 20 and 18 kills respectively. Shawna picked up 18 digs and Ashley added 16. Bridgette McAndrews (Longmeadow, Mass./ Longmeadow) also picked up a double-double in the setback with 12 kills and 11 digs.

The Owls and Rams split the first two sets laying the groundwork for a pivotal third frame. The Rams outlasted the Owls, 28-26, weathering 8 lead changes and 15 ties in a back and forth match. The Owls responded in the fourth to extend the game but the Rams offensive combo of Valerie Sullivan (Buffalo, N.Y./ Amherst Central) and Hailey Sanders (Franklin, Mass./ Franklin) took control of the final set with four kills each. Sullivan finished with a match-high 23 kills and Sanders landed 18.

Morgan Failla (Providence, R.I./ Classical) dished out 57 assists in the win and picked up 14 digs. Brandee Thomas (North Kingston, R.I./ North Kingston) added 13 kills and 17 digs for the Rams while first year libero Isabel Henwood (Guaynabo, P.R./ Academia Maria Reina) posted a match-high 24 digs.

Westfield State's senior captain, Jessica Haradon (Mansfield, Mass./ Mansfield), grabbed 21 digs and Sarah Bingham (Reno, Nev./ Wooster) landed six service aces.

The Rams (16-15) advance to the championship game at top seeded Worcester State on Saturday, Nov. 6 while the Owls wrap up the '21 campaign with an 8-21 overall record.