FITCHBURG, MA: Fitchburg State women's volleyball picked up two wins today after taking down Curry College and the University of Southern Maine in non-conference action.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 10/12/24

- Score: Fitchburg 3, Curry 1. Sets: 25-22, 19-25, 25-15, 25-16

            Fitchburg 3, Southern Maine 2. Sets: 25-17, 25-18, 27-29, 15-25, 15-5

- Records: Fitchburg (3-12), Southern Maine (5-15), Curry (1-16)

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game One

- Fitchburg's hitting percentage was the most significant statistical difference in an overall even match. They finished with a .176 compared to Curry's .066. Curry racked up 29 hitting errors to the Falcons 15.

- Samantha Mirra (Burlington, MA) and Sariah Dyer (Raynham, MA) led the team's offensive efforts with 16 of the team's 36 kills. Mirra finished with a team-high nine kills and ten digs. Dyer had seven kills on 15 attempts and just two errors for a team-best hitting percentage of .333. Mia Vestal (Wilmington, MA) topped the setters in this one with 15 assists. Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, MA) had a solid match with six kills and a team-high in digs with 12.

- Curry found their most success behind the swing of Meghan Abbott, who finished with a match-high ten kills. Abby Sousa dished out 16 assists in this one, giving her a match-high. Sonja Matheson was all over the court for the Colonels, saving 16 Falcon attacks.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Kills: Curry 38, Fitchburg 36

-  Assists: Curry 34, Fitchburg 32

-  Digs: Fitchburg 64, Curry 62

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game Two

-  The Falcons again came out ready to play in the second match. They took the first two sets by limiting mistakes and not allowing the hitters for the Huskies to get going. Sardella and Mirra saw to that with a combined 47 digs. Southern Maine's frustrations didn't last as they finally found their groove in the third and fourth sets, outhitting Fitchburg 15-9 and 13-6 and forcing a fifth and final set. The Falcons cruised to a big lead and, after switching sides, finished the match off by outhitting the Huskies 9-1.

- Dyer continued her dominating performance with another 11 kills added to her stat line, which also included six digs and an assist. Sardella, Mirra, and Gwynneth Norman (Keene, NH) each contributed another eight kills apiece. Sardella also had a team-high in digs with 26, followed by Mirra with 21. Vestal continued to find the hot hand, adding another 21 assists to her day.

- The Huskies did rack up the kills through the second to fourth sets, finishing with three in double digits. Drew Johnson and Madison Zimmer topped the match with 11 kills each, with Casey Murillo finishing with 10. Sierra Castonguay played outstanding defense for Southern Maine. She topped all with 28 digs, just ahead of Johnson, who had 27. Tiara Begishe dished out 40 assists.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Kills: Southern Maine 47, Fitchburg 44

-  Assists: Southern Maine 45, Fitchburg 38

-  Digs: Southern Maine 110, Fitchburg 105

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State women's volleyball will return Wednesday when they travel to take on MCLA at 6:00 PM in MASCAC action.

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