Volleyball falters in close game against Suffolk

Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST

By Izabela Gage

Sports Editor

By Taylor Kimmell

Asst. Sports Editor

The Framingham State volleyball team fell in a hard-fought 3-2 loss to the Suffolk University Rams Sept. 16. This loss brings their overall record to 5-3.

In the MASCAC Preseason Poll, Framingham is projected to finish third of nine teams.

Kristina Santiago-Alers, a freshman, executed the first serve of the game. A pass from Captain Stella Bailey, a senior, resulted in a kill by Natalie Reynolds, a junior, earning FSU the first point of the game.

Santiago-Alers said team members have been holding each other accountable for their effort as well as keeping a positive mindset. 

She said, “The team has good chemistry. We support one another on and off the court, and the connection we’ve created has made us stronger.”

After a second serve from Santiago-Alers, possession passed to Suffolk, which earned two points before Framingham regained possession, scoring on another kill by Reynolds.

Suffolk’s next possession yielded two more points, followed by one from FSU on a kill by Sarah Medeiros, a sophomore.

The teams traded points for the next several plays, with Framingham scoring on several errors by Suffolk and kills from juniors Emma Dobbins and Jamie Moniz, as well as Reynolds, tying the score at 13-13.

Suffolk broke the tie with a kill and two service aces before Bailey broke their momentum with a service ace.

Medeiros, with an assist from Bailey, had Framingham’s last kill of the set, with Suffolk taking control of the final few plays and ending the set with a kill and a score of 25-21.

The second set began with a serve from Suffolk, which the FSU Rams converted into a point on a kill by Medeiros.

Suffolk earned a point on a service error by FSU on the next play, followed by a point on a kill.

The following few plays brought success for Framingham as they took back the lead 8-5. Contributing to this were kills by Dobbins and junior Jaimee Lowe and a service ace from Bailey.

Framingham held the lead for the next few plays, Dobbins, Reynolds, Bailey, and Moniz contributing with a combination of kills and service aces.

Suffolk accumulated five more points, bringing the score to 16-10, still in favor of Framingham.

FSU added more points to the board, capitalizing on Suffolk’s errors. However, after a few more plays, Suffolk was able to make up ground and tie the set 18-18.

Suffolk took the lead with two kills before kills from Lowe, Moniz, and Bailey, and a service ace from Santiago-Alers, returning Framingham’s advantage.

Two more Suffolk errors solidified the set victory for Framingham with a score of 26–24.

Framingham started the third set with momentum from a service ace by Santiago-Alers.

With a kill by Medeiros and a service error by Suffolk, Framingham took the lead 3-0.

However, the Suffolk Rams fought back with two kills and capitalized on errors from Framingham, giving Suffolk a 5-3 advantage.

Framingham did not lose its determination, and a kill by Reynolds, a service ace by junior Anneli DiVirgilio, and two kills by Lowe allowed them to take back the lead 7-5.

The teams traded points in an intense rally until the score was tied 13-13.

The FSU Rams regained the lead with Reynolds contributing two kills and Lowe contributing one.

Suffolk didn’t let up and earned two more kills to tie the game once again.

Lowe was aggressive on defense and added another kill for Framingham, which put the ball back in their possession.

Framingham kept the pressure on Suffolk, with a block from Moniz and an attack error from Suffolk, bringing the score to 18-15.

FSU and Suffolk fought back and forth for the remainder of the set, with kills from senior Captain Carly Beaulieau, Medeiros, Reynolds, and Lowe to help Framingham take a 25-22 win, tying the match.

In the fourth set, the intensity did not diminish. 

Medeiros opened with a kill for Framingham, but Suffolk quickly responded with one of their own, followed by a service ace.

With Suffolk in the lead 2-1, FSU did not let up and put three points on the board from Suffolk’s attack errors.

The Suffolk Rams earned a point off a service error by DiVirgilio, but Lowe retaliated with two kills.

Framingham remained in the lead with Moniz contributing two kills to bring the score to 8-4.

The teams went back and forth for points, until Suffolk tallied two kills to close the deficit.

Bailey earned a kill of her own before the Suffolk Rams tied the score to 10-10.

Framingham let up on offense and gave possession back to Suffolk. Suffolk’s lead grew to 15-11 with a kill and three service aces.

The Framingham Rams did not let it hinder their determination and they reclaimed the lead once again with Lowe contributing three kills.

One last kill from Reynolds brought the score to 18-17 in favor of FSU, but Suffolk earned four back-to-back kills and an attack error to end the set 23-18.

Framingham jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the decisive fifth set, capitalizing on Suffolk’s early mistakes. 

Suffolk responded with a kill and a service ace, but service and attack errors from each team kept the score tight.

The Suffolk Rams gained possession of the ball with a lead of 5-3. Kills from Lowe, Medeiros, and Santiago-Alers put Framingham back in the lead 7-5.

The score was tied once again after a kill and service ace by Suffolk, but Medeiros responded with a kill of her own. Two attack errors by Suffolk let the Framingham Rams gain a 3-point lead.

Nearing the end of the game, Suffolk stayed determined and fought back for the lead for the last time. 

With the Suffolk Rams in the lead 13-11, a service error gave Framingham possession of the ball.

They used this to their advantage, with Lowe earning the last kill for the Framingham Rams.

Suffolk tallied their last points off a kill and an attack error by Framingham, ending the set with the score of 15-13 and winning the game 3-2.

Lowe tallied 15 kills and 18 digs in the loss against Suffolk, earning a kill percentage of .104. 

Lowe said, “I work really hard in practice to play like every point is the most important point, as well as keeping a calm but aggressive mindset to play to the best of my ability without losing control.”

She said her teammates keep her motivated to work hard by “keeping the pressure on at practice, because at the end of the day, it’s up to us and our hard work that wins us games.”

Reynolds said the team dynamic has a major role in the team’s success so far this season. 

“It’s a great feeling to be friends with your teammates, and it helps with our trust in each other and chemistry on the court. From ice cream runs to competitive kickball games, we are always finding ways to become closer on and off the court,” she added.

Lowe said, “Without a doubt, every girl on this team wants to put in as much effort as they can to get us to win the championship match. 

“With that being said, we all have a mutual understanding that we need to keep each other accountable for our mistakes and bring each other up with positivity and good spirits,” she added.

Reynolds said, “With our level of determination, we are looking to make it very far this year and get ourselves ready for the MASCAC playoffs with hopes of returning to the NCAA Championship this year.”

Reynolds earned MASCAC Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 8 and Sept. 15. 

She averaged 16 kills per match with a .310 attack percentage in a 1-2 week for Framingham Sept. 8.

In the 3-0 week for Framingham Sept. 15, she averaged 13.3 kills per match with a .423 attack percentage, five block assists, and eight service aces.

Reynolds said it feels good to earn the title and “it’s a great reminder to continue working hard on the court.”

She added, “I always strive to be the best player I can be to help the team. No matter what, I can always do better for them.”

The Framingham State Rams travel to Curry College to play a non-conference doubleheader against the Curry College Colonels and the Thomas College Terriers Sept. 20.

Lowe said, “Our exceptional coaching staff is going to help us work on our mistakes from Tuesday's game, but also focus on the positives and point-saving plays to keep the momentum moving forward.”

Reynolds said, “We have been working very hard and want these wins so bad.”