Melson Leads Volleyball Blitz Through Fitchburg

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— The MCLA Volleyball Team welcomed Fitchburg State to the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium this evening for a MASCAC matchup that had early playoff implications for both teams on the line. Audrey Melson had a season-high 15 kills, while Addison Decaro picked up 20 assists and three service aces for the Trailblazers.

THE BASICS:

• Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024

• Score: Fitchburg State 0, MCLA 3
• Records: Fitchburg State Falcons 3-13 (MASCAC 0-3) | MCLA Trailblazers 6-13 (MASCAC 2-1)
• Series History: MCLA leads the all-time series 13-11, including a 3-1 win last season during the quarter-final round of the MASCAC playoffs on November 7^th. The teams first met on November 17, 1975.

HIGHLIGHTS

• MCLA won the match in straight sets, 25-17, 25-18, and 25-22.
• The Trailblazers came out hot in the first set, growing their lead to 10-5, capping the run with a service ace from sophomore setter Beth Harris (San Antonio, TX), and forcing the Falcons to take their first time out of the set. MCLA then closed out the set with a 7-3 run to take point.
• Junior outside hitter Audrey Melson (Champlin Park, MN) took over in the second set for the Trailblazers. Melson recorded seven of her game-high 15 kills in a second set that included five ties and another five lead changes before MCLA closed things out with a 5-2 run that ended with a service ace from senior right-side Chloie Garber (Eagle River, AK).
• The third set was the most back-and-forth of the match, including nine ties and another five lead changes. Melson again set the pace for the Trailblazers, picking up another five kills on ten attacks.
• For MCLA, junior outside hitter Elizabeth Brown (Lee, MA) finished the match with 11 kills and 14 points (two service aces and a solo block), trailing only Melson's 15 kills for 15 points. Stephanie Sardella had a team-high seven kills for the Falcons. Brown also finished with 16 digs, one behind senior libero Ezmeralda Albright's (Loves Park, IL) game-high 17.
• Freshman setter Addison Decaro (Eagle River, AK) had a game-high 20 assists for the Trailblazers, besting junior setter Shannon O'Brien (Unionville, CT) by a pair. Mia Vestal was the only player to crack double-digit assists for Fitchburg, finishing with 12.

UP NEXT:

On Friday, MCLA will be back in action when they travel to Elms College for a non-conference matchup with the Blazers at Picknelly Arena. The match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.

STAY CONNECTED:

For the latest on MCLA Athletics, follow the Trailblazers via our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).