Volleyball advances to MASCAC Championship

By Taylor Kimmell

Asst. Sports Editor

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST

The Framingham State Rams dominated the first round of MASCAC Tournament play, sweeping the Salem State Vikings 3-0 Nov. 11. The Rams entered the playoffs seeded third in the conference, with a conference record of 6-2 and an overall record of 17-12. Framingham set the tone for the set immediately, scoring three points before Salem could find enough footing to put up one. These points came on a kill by junior Emma Dobbins, a block by junior Natalie Reynolds, and an error by the Vikings. After Salem earned a point on a kill, Reynolds, assisted by Captain Stella Bailey, a senior, forced a block error from the Vikings, bringing the score to 4-2. Salem put up two more points, forcing Framingham to kick it into gear. Reynolds, junior Jamie Moniz, and sophomore Sarah Medeiros all contributed to the Rams’ score with kills. Another kill by Medeiros and several good plays by the Vikings brought the score to 12-9 with FSU still holding onto the lead. With Moniz bringing in another point on a kill, the Rams continued to play strong offense. Forcing four attack errors from Salem, Framingham’s lead grew, raising the score to 15-10. Reynolds tallied three more kills with two assisted by Bailey and one assisted by junior Jaimee Lowe. A quick timeout taken by Salem yielded one more point for the Vikings, but Framingham wasted no time jumping back into offensive action. Kills by Reynolds and Medeiros as well as errors by SSU added to the Rams’ score. A kill by Moniz closed out the opening set, with Framingham winning by a startling 11-point margin of 25-14. Framingham turned up the heat in the second set, starting out with a 4-point scoring streak with two kills by Reynolds and one by sophomore Madysen Cedrone, as well as a service ace by freshman Kristina Santiago-Alers. On the next volley, Salem broke through the Rams’ defense to score a singular point on a kill. The Vikings struggled to maintain their composure against Framingham’s strong returns, never coming within less than two points of the lead during the second set. Cedrone, Reynolds, and Moniz contributed to the score with kills while Bailey tallied a service ace. Following these plays, the score was 9-5. Salem put up a few points, but a kill from Dobbins, as well as two by Reynolds and Cedrone, the Vikings continued to lag behind. With a serve by Lowe, a series of good volleys began. Eventually, Reynolds, with a decisive swing, sent a hard ball over the net that the Vikings were unable to return. Following that play, Salem broke through on offense, scoring three points before Framingham regained control of the match after a service error by SSU. FSU’s next point came from a kill by Moniz assisted by Bailey to bring the score to 21-14, with Salem at a significant deficit. SSU earned three more points during the set, but was unable to keep pace with the Rams. After a kill by Dobbins and a service ace by junior Anneli DiVirgilio, Framingham secured their second set victory with a score of 25-18. The third set of the match began similarly to the second, with the Rams scoring three consecutive points before Salem could find enough rhythm to secure any. Kills by Cedrone and Reynolds kick-started Framingham’s momentum, gaining a 4-1 lead for the Rams early in the set. A kill by Moniz followed suit, as well as a service ace by Reynolds. Framingham’s offense forced several more attack and service errors from the Vikings, and, along with a kill each by Dobbins, Cedrone, and Reynolds, the Rams pulled even farther ahead, bringing the score to 12-7. Battling back after a kill by Cedrone, the Vikings increased their speed of play. With two kills from their offense, as well as several forced errors from Framingham, Salem decreased their deficit to just one point. A kill by Medeiros increased FSU’s score to 14, but Salem continued to find success on offense, tying the match with two kills. After one more kill by the Vikings, they acquired the lead for the first time. The Rams jumped right back into action to reclaim the advantage. Assisted by Bailey, Moniz accumulated two kills, and defensive plays caused errors from Salem, bringing the score back in favor of the Rams 19-15. A block by the defensive duo of Moniz and Medeiros caused an attack error by the Vikings. Assisted by Bailey, Medeiros tallied another kill. Bailey stepped up once again to set the ball for Cedrone to earn another point on a kill. A play by DiVirgilio proved unreturnable for SSU, resulting in an attack error. On an attack error by Framingham, Salem earned a point. The final sets of the game yielded aggressive plays from both teams. Salem and Framingham battled it out for the final four sets, each longer than the last. Framingham’s plays yielded another error by the Vikings after a series of volleys. SSU attempted to battle back, scoring once more on a kill. A kill by Reynolds, yet again assisted by Bailey, brought the score to 24-18 and the Rams within a point of moving on to the next round of the MASCAC tournament. A perfectly executed serve by Captain Carly Beaulieu, a senior, evaded digs by the Vikings’ defense, ending a decisive third set and securing the Rams’ spot in the semifinal match. As of press time, the Rams eliminated the Westfield State Owls 3-2 in the semifinal round Nov. 13. This win advances Framingham to the championship match against the Bridgewater State Bears Nov. 15. ¶