Box Score Fairmont, W. Va. -- Fairmont State looked to get a get their first MEC win in front of their home crowd against Notre Dame College on Friday afternoon. The Falcons were able to beat NDC in four sets (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-18).
This past week's MEC Defensive Player of the Week, Bryce Knapp worked for 24 digs on the day. Offensively, Moore led with .500 and Keara Lewis with 15 kills, as well as Birch with 14 kills. Lauren Albrecht supported her team with 29 assists.
Set 1
From the beginning of the match, Fairmont State was able to lead most of way. Great rally from both teams, with Madison Chapman capturing the point with a kill to make the score 9-4. Out of an NDC timeout, block by Moore and Birch to give Fairmont State an 8-point-advantage, 14-6. Hustle plays were made by the FSU Falcons' defense to control the set at 22-6. FSU was able to comfortably hang onto their lead, as they would go onto to win the set, 25-20.
Set 2
Notre Dame came out wanting to battle in the second set, as they led 5-2 to start the set. Two service aces by Falcons, in Moore and Kelsie Dangerfield would bring the score to 6-6. Fairmont would take a time out to regroup from being down 12-9. Your Falcons would lead it at 14-13, after many back-and-forth volleys. Fairmont State would fall 20-17 in the second set after a few attacking errors but would come back with kills by Birch, Lewis, to make it 21-20 still in favor of NDC. A block by Chapman and Ludwig and kills by Joey Borelle and Chapman would give the Falcons a lead late in the set, 24-22. The Falcons would come away with the 2-0 match lead after a 25-22 win in the second set, 25-22.
Set 3
NDC led during the first part of the set, at one point with a nine-point-edge. The Notre Dame defense looked solid, as FSU had trouble finding any offensive runs during the set. In hopes to turn things around, a kill by Borelle would start the effort to make it 15-7, still in favor of NDC. After a two serving aces by Josie Skinn, and an attacking error by NDC, Fairmont State was able to close in on the lead, where the score was 16-13. Lewis and Birch kills would bring the score within two points at 17-15 for NDC. Fairmont State would look to combat the NDC attack with multiple plays to keep the lead within their reach at 22-19. A kill by Fairmont State's Moore would bring the score to 22-20. At match point for Notre Dame, they would capitalize on a kill to earn their first win of the match, 25-22.
Set 4
Albrecht had a serving ace to start the set out strong. The teams were tied at 4-4, but the Falcons pulled ahead after a serving ace by Dangerfield and multiple offensive plays to earn a gain on NDC, 9-4. Fairmont State led with their defensive efforts to make the score 13-7. The Falcons would go on to lead the set 17-10. The Falcons were able to have success and would lead the way comfortably, winning the fourth and final set on the day, 25-18.
The Fairmont State University volleyball team will be back in action at West Liberty University on Tuesday, September 27th at 7:00 p.m. The Falcons will be back in Joe Retton Arena on October 4th against Frostburg State University.
