The Westfield State women’s volleyball team split a tri-match this past weekend. (Photo courtesy of Westfield State University Sports)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University volleyball split a tri-match on Saturday, Sept. 24 in the Woodward Center moving to 6-8 (1-1 MASCAC) on the season.
In the opener, Framingham State defeated Westfield 3-0 (25-18, 30-28, 25-6) for the conference win. Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills/ Agawam) led the Rams’ charge with 16 kills, 12 digs, four assists and three blocks to knock off the Owls.
Westfield State held a six point advantage late in the second set (19-13) with two Micaela Murray (Norfolk, Mass./ King Phillip Regional) aces before Framingham stormed back to even things at 22 all. A back and forth struggle ensued until Julia Wan (South Deerfield/ Frontier Regional) sent home the set winning kill for a 30-28 victory.
The Rams cruised in the third to finish the sweep.
Lizzie Taylor (Medfield, Mass./ Medfield) posted a game- high 26 digs in the losing effort and Jen Green (Charlton, Mass./ Shepherd Hill Regional) buried 10 kills.
Framingham picked up a second straight sets win in game two against Elms College (25-3, 25-16, 25-10). Wan and Sarah Leonard (Southborough/ Algonquin Regional) finished with nine kills each and Molly Meehan (Quincy/ Archbishop Williams) distributed 17 assists in the win.
The Blazers’ effort was highlighted by Danielle Redding (Las Vegas, N.V./ Bishop Gorman) who finished with eight kills, six digs, three blocks and one ace. Carolyn Campbell (Millers Falls/ Turner Falls) assisted nine of Elms’ twelve kills.
In the final match of the day, Westfield salvaged the split by defeating Elms 3-0 (25-5, 25-11, 25-20).
Natasha Belardo (Springfield, Mass./ Holyoke) led a balanced Westfield attack with eight kills and nine digs. Nine other Owls recorded kills in the game.
Tiara Vaughn (E. Falmouth, Mass./ Falmouth) grabbed 11 digs in the win and Brigid Murray (Norfolk, Mass./ King Phillip Regional) finished with 22 assists.
Redding paced the Blazers again with 10 kills and Hannah Adams (Deerfield/ Frontier) picked up double digit digs (10).
The Owls held a 16-5 advantage in service aces.
Westfield returns to action on Sept. 28 when they set sail for Salem State. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
