Girard Grabs MVP Honors as Volleyball Goes 3-0 at Crabtree Classic

Willimantic, Conn. – Sophomore Danielle Girard (Tivoli, NY) garnered Most Valuable Player honors at the Crabtree Classic hosted by Eastern Connecticut State University as the Framingham State University volleyball team went 3-0 today en route to the tournament title.

The Rams opened the day with a 3-2 victory over the University of New England and followed that up with a 3-0 win over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.  The Rams closed the day with a five set 3-2 victory over Eastern Connecticut to capture the tournament.  After the three wins, the Rams are now 15-4 on the season.

Girard recorded 23 kills, 42 digs and six aces in the three matches en route to earning MVP honors, while senior Andressa Fernandes (Framingham, Mass.) was named to the All-Tournament team after picking up 33 kills on the day.

Girard and Fernandes picked up 10 kills apiece in the victory over UNE, while freshman Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) chipped in with 11.  Freshman Julia Wan (South Deerfield, Mass.) and junior Maribeth Martin (Barnstable, Mass.) led the back row play with 12 and 10 digs respectively.  Martin also contributed 16 set assists while junior Morgan Drew (North Easton, Mass.) added 10.

Rackliffe led the attack against UMass Dartmouth with nine kills, while Fernandes added six. Martin had a solid game with eight digs and 16 assists, while Girard picked up three kills and a team-best 16 digs.

Girard closed the day with an 18 dig and 10 kill performance against the hosts to secure MVP honors.  Rackliffe led the charge with a match-best 20 kills, while Fernandes picked up 17.  Martin was once again solid with 26 set assists and 10 digs, while Wan closed the day with 10 kills and a team-high 25 digs.

The Rams are back in action on Monday evening when they entertain Lesley University in a non-conference match beginning at 6 p.m.