Volleyball Defeats MASCAC Rival Westfield State and Suffolk University
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University volleyball team swept a tri-match this afternoon with Westfield State and Suffolk University. The Rams received 18 kills from junior Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) as they defeated Westfield State University 3-1 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action, before defeating Suffolk University Rams 3-0 in their other match of the day at the Athletic Center.
With the win over the Owls the Rams (12-2) improve to 2-0 on the year in conference play, while the Owls (6-7) slip to 0-2 in the MASCAC. The Owls defeated Suffolk University 3-0 in the day's middle match as Suffolk is now 3-9 on the year.
In the opener, the Rams took the first two sets 25-19 and 25-17, before Westfield State used a run midway through the third game to open up a nine point lead before eventually taking the set 25-15. In the fourth set with the game tied 14-14, the Rams rattled off six straight points including a huge block from Rackliffe and senior Annie DeLoid (Plymouth, Mass.) and an ace from sophomore Sarah Leonard (Southborough, Mass.) to take a 20-14 advantage. The Rams eventually took the set 25-19 to secure the victory.
The Rams were led by 18 kills, three solo blocks and seven block assists from Rackliffe, while senior Danielle Girard (Tivoli, NY) chipped in five kills and a team-best 17 digs with four service aces. Leonard finished the match with three kills, 11 digs, nine aces and 23 set assists.
The Owls were led by 16 kills from Kendyl Haney (Ashland, Mass.) and seven from Casey Doremus (Westford, Mass.). Lizzie Taylor (Medfield, Mass.) chipped in with 17 digs, while Shannon Shea (Chelmsford, Mass.) added seven kills, seven assists and 10 digs for the visitors. Brigid Murray (Peabody, Mass.) and Courtney Ryan (Quincy, Mass.) combined for 26 assists for the Owls in the game.
Framingham State closed the day with a 3-0 victory over Suffolk by scores of 25-13, 25-14 and 25-15. They were once again led on the attack by 14 kills from Rackliffe, while freshman Tessa Neverett (Athol, Mass.) added seven kills and four digs. Girard once again led the defensive effort with nine digs.
The Suffolk Rams were led by six kills apiece from Madison Martin (Middleburg, Fla.) and Chidera Nwankwo (Canton, Mass.). Talia Lombardo (Windham, NH) and Bridget Allison (Westford, Mass.) led the back row effort with 11 and 10 kills respectively. Lombardo also added 10 assists.
In the days other match the Owls defeated Suffolk University in three sets (25-19, 25-14, 25-19). The Owls were led by nine kills on 23 attempts from Doremus. Haney chipped in with eight kills, while Taylor was once again solid in the back row with 24 digs. Murray picked up 16 set assists, while Ryan chipped in with 17 and a pair of aces.
The Boston Rams were led by nine kills from Nwankwo, and six from Martin. Emma Feeney (Monroe, Conn.) led the back row with 13 digs, while Lombardo added seven digs and three assists. Liz Kerek (Holbrook, Mass.) contributed eight digs and 10 set assists.
The Rams are back in action on Wednesday evening when they travel to Massachusetts Maritime for a MASCAC match beginning at 7 p.m. The Owls resume MASCAC action on Wednesday when they entertain Salem State at 7 p.m., while Suffolk hosts Becker on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a non-conference match.