Volleyball snaps MCLA’s perfect conference run

By Izabela Gage Sports Editor The Framingham State Rams overcame the MCLA Trailblazers 3-2 Oct. 15, handing the Trailblazers their first conference loss of the season. The Rams’ overall record is now 13-6, and their conference record is now 4-1. They’re tied for second in the MASCAC standings. The Trailblazers put the first point on the board after an attack error by the Rams, but junior Natalie Reynolds responded and tallied her first kill of the game. After the teams exchanged points for the next few plays, Reynolds earned a service ace, bringing the score to 5-3. Following an attack error by Framingham, kills from sophomores Sarah Medeiros and Emma Dobbins, and a service ace by Captain Stella Bailey, a senior, expanded the Rams’ lead to 9-4. The Trailblazers tried to close the gap, earning a point off a kill, but the Rams remained strong on defense, putting more points on the board with a block and a service ace by junior Anneli DiVirgilio. Framingham kept the lead despite MCLA’s efforts to keep up, and freshman Kristina Santiago-Alers earned a service ace to bring the score to 14-8 before the Trailblazers called a timeout to regain their composure. A kill, an attack error, and two service aces by the Trailblazers helped to close the gap to 18-13, but the Rams didn’t let up on offense. Framingham fought to keep its lead with two kills and a block, only allowing MCLA to earn points off attack errors. Sophomore Madysen Cedrone ended the set with a kill, with a final score of 25-17 in favor of Framingham. The Rams’ momentum carried into the second set, with Reynolds tipping the ball over the net in the first play to tally another kill. MCLA tied it and then took the lead 3-1 after two attack errors by Framingham and a service ace. Following a service error by the Trailblazers, Medeiros closed the gap with a kill, and Reynolds put the Rams in the lead with one of her own. The score remained tied after each team earned points, but the Trailblazers ran with an 11-6 lead after errors by the Rams proved costly. Framingham made a strong comeback from the 5-point deficit, including a block and a kill by Cedrone, four kills by Dobbins, a kill by Renyolds, and a service ace by Captain Carly Beaulieu, a senior. The Rams took an 18-13 lead. MCLA was able to tie the game 21-21, but kills from Medeiros, Cedrone, and a block by Dobbins kept Framingham ahead by 2. The second set ended with a service error by the Trailblazers, and the Rams won 25-22. MCLA had a strong start to the third set, with four unanswered points on the board. Dobbins earned a kill to restart Framingham’s faltering momentum, with Beaulieu subsequently tallying a service ace. The Trailblazers’ efforts were consistent despite the Rams’ attempts to claw their way back, and MCLA took a significant lead of 13-3. After a drought of point-earning plays, Framingham put two points on the board after a service error by MCLA and a kill by junior Jaimee Lowe. The Rams earned two points off errors by the Trailblazers, and DiVirgilio tallied a service ace to bring the score to 15-8. MCLA didn’t let up, and after a handful of hard-fought plays, they were up 18-10. Framingham hoped for a comeback, but couldn’t close the gap completely. After a kill by Cedrone, the Trailblazers found a gap in the Rams’ defense and responded with a kill of their own, winning the set 25-20. MCLA earned the first point of the fourth set from an attack error by Framingham. A service error by the Trailblazers tied the score, which was followed by an attack error, giving the Rams a 2-1 lead. Framingham’s lead was stolen swiftly after that due to a block and kill by MCLA. The Trailblazers used the momentum in their favor, giving the Rams a 3-point gap to close early in the set. Despite their efforts, the Rams were unable to tie the score. After an exchange of points, with MCLA still in the lead 8-5, Reynolds tallied a service ace after the ball rolled over the net. Both teams capitalized on each other’s errors, with Framingham earning 4 points and MCLA earning 5, leaving the Rams behind 13-9. Three kills by the Trailblazers deepened the deficit, followed by a service error, giving the Rams a point. MCLA tallied another kill, but Cedrone responded with one of her own. Following two kills by the Trailblazers, they were six points away from winning the set with the Rams trailing by seven, but FSU’s determination didn’t falter. A kill by Reynolds and a block by Medeiros inched Framingham closer to the lead, but MCLA responded with two kills to stay ahead. After an attack error by the Rams and two kills by the Trailblazers, the set ended with a score of 25-14, forcing a fifth and final set. The Rams came out strong for the decisive last set, with Dobbins earning the first point with a kill. Following a service error by Framingham, Reynolds tallied another kill. The teams fought for the lead until the set was tied 5-5. Junior Jamie Moniz blocked a kill, which gave Framingham the lead, followed by a kill by Medeiros. MCLA tried to find its footing after breaking through Framingham’s defense and earning a kill. However, Medeiros and Moniz both blocked a point each, and Dobbins sent the ball to the back row that the Trailblazers could not save, deepening MCLA’s deficit to 10-6. DiVirgilio stayed dominant on offense, earning three back-to-back service aces to bring the Rams one point away from winning the match. MCLA unfortunately earned a point off a service error, followed by a kill, to bring the score to 14-8. Framingham bounced back, with Cedrone earning the game-winning kill, and the Rams winning the match 3-2. Captain Stella Bailey, a senior, tallied 40 assists and 15 digs in the hard-fought win. She said, “MCLA’s best hitters were their outside hitters, who were absolutely targeting the one spot where Carly and I were playing. It’s important to have the mindset in practice that the other team is purposely targeting us to win the game. “Making the decision of ‘I will get every ball up, and if I don’t, then I will at least give it my all’ is crucial in these games when they start getting close,” she added. Sophomore Sabrina Stadelman said, “We talk a lot about focusing on our fundamentals, as well as on playing with intensity always, because that extra effort and energy is what will help us to make the tough plays and keep up our momentum during tough matches.” Medeiros said, “I think a lot of the teams that we play against have talent, but don’t necessarily have the chemistry that we do. I believe this will be a major advantage for us as the season continues.” Stadelman said, “We’ve all made a commitment to ourselves and each other to give our best effort at all times, so that we as a team can be the best we can be. When we’re on the court, we’re playing for each other, and I think that constant support is so important to everything that we do.” DiVirgilio said, “We’re out to prove that we can compete with anyone. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re learning and growing with every match. “Our goal is to be one of the top teams in the conference by the end of the season, and naturally to win the MASCAC,” she added. Bailey said, “As a team, we’re insistent on winning the MASCAC trophy. We’re focusing on one league match at a time with the knowledge in mind that we will see these teams again when it matters most - in the playoffs. We want to leave the impression on teams when we get paired with them of, ‘I hope we don’t have to play Framingham.’” Cedrone said being over halfway through the season, the team wants to prove how hard they have worked. “We deserve to not only be on the court, but to win. I can confidently say that we Rams want it more, and we are excited to show it.” She added, “It’s an opportunity to play on a team like ours, but an even bigger one to play with the people I see when I look next to me. So far this season, our team connection and chemistry have promoted trust, confidence, and pride in our game. We all strive for the same end goal - to win.” The Rams travel to Wheaton College for an out-of-conference matchup Oct. 18. ¶