Volleyball sweeps Worcester in conference action
By Taylor Kimmell
Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams hosted and defeated the Worcester State Lancers in a 3-0 conference sweep Oct. 17. This improves their conference record to 4-1 and their overall record to 14-5, ranking them second of the MASCAC’s eight teams. The Rams tallied a quick 3 points to open the first set, with two kills by Captain Natalie Reynolds, a senior, and one by junior Sarah Medeiros. A service error by FSU earned the Lancers their first point. Then, another two kills by Reynolds increased the Rams’ lead. Worcester then went on a 5-point run, bringing the score to 6-5 in their favor. Seniors Jamie Moniz and Emma Dobbins each contributed kills, but WSU scored 4 points, once again increasing their lead. More kills by Moniz, Reynolds, and Dobbins shrunk the deficit, as well as a string of errors by the Lancers. A service ace by Reynolds, paired with kills from Moniz, Dobbins, and freshman Isabella Spaulding, allowed the Rams to catch up, bringing the score to an even 18-18. After another Moniz kill, FSU took the lead and ran with it, closing the set 25-21 with a combination of WSU errors and three kills by Medeiros and one by Reynolds, offsetting the Lancers’ scoring. Reynolds opened the next set with a kill. Then, the Lancers took the lead with two kills. Medeiros had another kill. Then, WSU battled back for an early 4-2 lead. With two more Reynolds kills and forced errors from the Lancers, the Rams took control of the match. Worcester pulled ahead by a point following two kills and a service ace. The Rams regained the lead with two kills by Moniz and several WSU errors, bringing the score to 9-7. Worcester attempted to keep pace with Framingham, coming within one point of the lead, but kills by Dobbins, Reynolds, and Medeiros ensured WSU remained at a disadvantage. A kill by Spaulding and a service ace by junior Madysen Cedrone brought FSU to an 18-15 lead, creating a 3-point gap that remained for the rest of the set despite effort on the Lancers’ side. Kills by Moniz and Reynolds, as well as a service ace by senior Jaimee Lowe allowed the Rams to close out a decisive second set with a score of 25-18. The third set opened at an even pace for the Rams and Lancers, allowing for a good back and forth for the first 12 plays to tie the score at 6-6. A Cedrone-assisted kill by Dobbins broke the stalemate, starting a 9-point run for FSU. During this run, Dobbins and Medeiros added to the score with kills while Lowe tallied three service aces. Worcester broke through and earned points on an FSU service error, but the Rams evened it out by forcing an error. WSU scored for points - two errors and two kills - to bring the score to 16-11, the Rams still leading. Following a service ace and two forced errors, FSU increased its lead once again. Worcester battled back with a kill and a forced error before the Rams again found their rhythm for 4 more points scored on WSU errors. A kill from the Lancers was matched by a kill from Reynolds. Then Worcester scored 4 points on three kills and a Rams’ error, briefly holding FSU from scoring their match-ending point. But Framingham’s eventual victory was inevitable, and, with a kill by Moniz, the Rams cinched a 25-18 win in the final set, solidifying their 3-0 match victory. Medeiros said the Rams “really tried to put pressure on Worcester so we could capitalize on their mistakes. We minimized our errors significantly from the last time we saw Worcester, which helped us sweep them.” She said compared to the team’s 3-2 win against WSU Sept. 23, having now swept them “shows we’ve been working to clean up our game. We plan to continue to learn from teams and come back stronger the second time we play them, which I think will continue to be true as we face some teams again in the playoffs.” Medeiros added sweeping teams is a “really great morale booster. ... It gets everyone pumped and sends a message to anyone looking at our schedule that our feet are on the gas pedal no matter how much we’re up - that we’re not satisfied until the game is over.” Medeiros tallied seven kills and two digs during the match. She said, “I try to keep my head in the game by reminding myself that every play I make takes pressure off my teammates. “Our back row is really strong and puts a ton of effort into making plays, so it’s important as front row players to block everything we can and pick up whatever balls we’re able to. When I’m attacking, I try to do whatever I can to find the floor and end the point for my team” she added. Framingham recently defeated the Bay Path Wildcats 3-0 the same day, but fell to the Westfield State Owls 3-0 in a conference matchup Oct. 21. Following these games, the Rams current conference record is 4-2 and their overall record is 15-6. With their current record, Framingham ranks third in the MASCAC, just under Westfield and Bridgewater. Medeiros said, “We’re all excited for the post season. Playoffs are a completely different game than the regular season. A lot of upsets happen and everyone is hungry, so anything is possible.” FSU travels to Keene State Oct. 24 for back to back matches against the Keene State Owls and the Rhode Island College Anchormen.
