Rams outlast Seahawks 3-1

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NEWPORT, R.I. - After falling behind two sets to none, the Salve Regina University women's volleyball team rallied to come within a point of forcing a fifth and deciding set against Framingham State University, but the Rams outlasted the Seahawks in a marathon fourth set to hang on for a 3-1 victory in non-league action Tuesday night.

The Rams raced out to a large lead in the first set, the largest being 19-9 after back-to-back service aces from Sarah Leonard (Southborough, Mass.). The Rams and Seahawks traded points until a service error gave the Rams a 25-16 victory.

Salve Regina again trailed early in the second set, but after falling behind 13-5 the Seahawks went on a 12-5 run to draw within a point, 18-17 after a service ace from Megan Parham (Tulsa, Okla.). The teams continued to alternate points, with Framingham extending to a two point lead, only to have the Seahawks draw within one over and over. With the score 22-21 in favor of Framingham Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) reestablished the two point lead with a kill then two more errors from Salve Regina gave the Rams the second set.

In the third, it was the Seahawks who took control early, taking a 3-1 lead off three straight kills from Mackenzie Donald (Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.), Emily Lipinski (Hampden, Mass.), and Cassidy Trablicy (Phoenix, Ariz.). That was the most separation the Seahawks would have though as the Rams kept it close, never trailing by more than three points. The Seahawks had set-point, leading 24-23 after a kill by Nora Donahue (Braintree, Mass.), however errors from Donahue and Trablicy gave the Rams their first lead since 1-0. Donehue kept the Seahawks alive with a kill to tie the game 25-25. Trailing 26-25 it was Sydney Puffer (Kittery, Maine) this time who kept the Seahawks going with back-to-back kills. Leonard tied the set 27-27 for the Rams, but another kill from Puffer and attack error from Rackliffe gave the Seahawks a 29-27 victory to avoid a sweep.

The Rams came out strong in the fourth set, leading 4-0 out of the gate, building a 19-13 lead. Kills from Donald and Trablicy drew the Seahawks within four, but a kill from Julia Wan (South Deerfield, Mass.) helped the Rams to within five points of the match. The Rams did not do themselves any favors though, committing five straight errors to help Salve Regina tie the set 20-20. Then Donald and Lipinski combined for two kills to give the Seahawks a 22-20 lead. After an exchange of points the Seahawks had a chance to force a fifth set, leading 24-23, but Tessa Neverett (Athol, Mass.) scored the equalizer to extend the set. Both sides continued to swap mini runs, with the Seahawks facing match point three times, and the Rams facing the chances of a fifth set twice until the Rams were able to pull away, scoring three in a row to clinch the set 30-28, and the match 3-1.

Donald led the way for Salve Regina with 17 kills, while Samantha Salwa (Ellington, Conn.) tallied a match high 45 assists. The Seahawks had four players in double figures for digs, with Chrissy Fraga (Milford, Mass.) leading the way with 26. Emily Lipinski finished the night with four solo blocks and one assisted block.

The Rams were led by Alycia Rackliffe's 19 kills and Leonard's 25 assists. Framingham also had four players record double digit digs, led by Danielle Girard (Tivoli, N.Y.) who had 18.

With the loss the Seahawks fall to 4-9 overall as they begin Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play this Thursday against Western New England at 7 p.m. inside the Rodgers Recreation Center.

Framingham improves to 10-2 on the season and will next be in action against Westfield St. on September 26.