Blazers Fall After A Five Set Battle Against The Anchorwomen

CHICOPEE, MA –  Women's volleyball battled tonight against the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen, losing 3-2 in the fifth set.

The Basics

Score: Elms 2, Rhode Island College 3

Records: Elms (0-1) | RIC (1-0)

How It Happened

The Blazers started their home opener with a kill by setter first year Clarissa Araiza (Anthony, NM) assisted by setter first year Jaylin Holman (Las Cruces, NM). For the first couple points it was steady back and forth between both teams, then the Blazers fell one step behind the Anchorwoman. For the majority of the set, the Blazers stayed a few points away but never more than a six (6) point gap. Later in the set post grad outside hitter Jaylianne Ramos Figueroa (Boca Raton, FL) sniped a kill to put the Blazers in a one point lead. Unfortunately, the Blazers couldn't hold the Anchorwomen and they fell short, ending 29-27 for the set, match 1-0.

The second set saw the Blazer go from a 4-4 tie with the Anchorwomen right before they went on a 7 point lead to put the score quickly at 11-4. For most of the set it stayed a very close competitive round. Both teams battling offensively and defensively. The Anchorwoman got the set close when outside hitter senior Amelia Murphy (North Attleboro, MA) made a kill to bring the score 20-20, but couldn't get another point. The Blazers went on a 5 point run to end the set 20-25, tying the match 1-1.

For the majority of the 3rd set the Blazers had the lead until the Anchorwomen brought the lead down to a tied set at 17-17 with a kill by Murphy. The Blazers tried to get the lead back but fell short, ending the set 25-21, making the match 2-1 Anchorwomen.

Blazers came out with heat behind the ball for the 4th set going on a 6 point lead with a kill by outside hitter senior Laura Jensen (Terrance, CA) and a kill from Figueroa. This caused the Anchorwomen's head coach to call for a timeout. With the set score 18-17, Blazers down by one point. Figueroa goes on a 3 point kill streak, causing the Anchorwomen to take another timeout. The Blazers snatched the set win 25-21, tying the match again 2-2.

For the Blazers the 5th set looked like it was going to be theirs. With a 4-9 lead, the Blazers became too comfortable and slowly the lead was gone.  After a long tough battle, the Blazers fell to the Anchormen ending the final set 19-17. The Anchorman walked away with the match win.

1st Set by the numbers:

Kills: Elms (9) | RIC (15)

Errors: Elms (5) | RIC (4)

Total Attempts: Elms (29) | RIC (34)

2nd Set by the numbers:

Kills: Elms (8) | RIC (6)

Errors: Elms (5) | RIC (5)

Total Attempts: Elms (40) | RIC (38)

3rd Set by the Numbers

Kills: Elms (9) | RIC (10)

Errors: Elms (6) | RIC (2)

Total Attempts: Elms (34) | RIC (27)

4th Set by the Numbers

Kills: Elms (15) | RIC (5)

Errors: Elms (5) | RIC (4)

Total Attempts: Elms (44) | RIC (33)

5th Set by the Numbers

Kills: Elms (7) | RIC (8)

Errors: Elms (2) | RIC (4)

Total Attempts: Elms (27) | RIC (24)

"What a way to start the season" head coach for the Blazers Torie Howdeshell said after the match.
She continued with, "It may not have fallen our way today, but we fought hard, have a lot of potential, and I am excited to see what this year brings!" 

Up Next

The Blazers head to a tri match on Saturday, September 3rd versus the Bay Path Wildcats at 2PM and the Clark University Cougars at 4PM . The matches will be held at Clark University, to follow the live stream and stats head to our website at ecblazers.com.