Women's Volleyball Falls in 3-1 Battle Against Framingham State

THE BASICS 
Salem State, 1 vs. Framingham State, 3 (19-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-22)

Records: 
Framingham State University Rams (9-3, 2-0 MASCAC)
Salem State University Vikings (5-9, 0-1 MASCAC)

Location: Salem, Mass. - Twohig Gymnasium

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025

THE LEAD—  In a tightly contested MASCAC matchup between Salem State and Framingham State, it was the Rams who came away with the 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-22) win Saturday afternoon at Twohig Gymnasium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both sides were fighting for momentum early in the match, and after the Rams cut the lead to three points (15-12), the Vikings pulled away and extended the lead to seven points (20-13), highlighted by a 5-1 run. During the offensive stretch for Salem, Presley Shairs (Salem, Mass.) and Ariana Barrows (Danvers, Mass.) each chipped in a kill. 
• Even though the Rams made it a five-point game (23-18) late in the first set, the Vikings closed out the opening set thanks to an error and Bella Coccia (Westfield, Mass.) kill for the 25-19 set win.
• The second set started the same as the first, with neither squad being able to pull significantly ahead. After being down 11-9 early on, Salem recaptured the lead with three-straight points (12-11), which included a Celia Carbone (Lynnfield, Mass.) ace. After both sides exchanged points and had the game tied at 13, the Rams pulled ahead with a four-point lead (17-13) by going on a 4-0 run.
• Later in the set, despite being down six (24-18), Salem rallied and made it a 24-21 game courtesy of a 3-0 rally thanks to multiple Framingham errors. However,  the visitors closed out the second set on an Emma Dobbins kill for the 25-21 set win.
• In the third frame, it was all Framingham as the Rams opened up an early 8-3 lead. As the set went on, the Vikings hung around and found themselves down six (12-6) but unfortunately, Framingham utilized an 8-0 run to go up 20-6 highlighted by three Jamie Moniz kills.
• Despite the large deficit, Salem would not go quietly as the squad rallied to make it a nine-point game (21-12) thanks to a 6-1 run. Kills from Sabina Kamanda (Dracut, Mass.) and Carbone, along with multiple Rams errors, helped the squad get back into the set.
• The Blue and Orange pulled within by as little as six (22-16) with a 4-1 surge, but the Rams ended up holding off Salem's late momentum, wrapping up the third set scoring three straight points. 
• Early in the fourth quarter, after Salem went up 6-5, the Vikings gave themselves breathing room by going up four (11-7) with a 5-2 run highlighted by two Barrows kills. The squad maintained a four-point lead after going up 13-9 on a Rams error, but the visitors pushed back and went up (19-14) thanks to a 10-1 run. 
• While the Rams went up by as much as six (22-16) late in the fourth set, Salem pulled within two (24-22) courtesy of a 6-2 rally, which included two Barows service aces. Unfortunately, Framingham ultimately secured a 25-22 set win, clinching the 3-1 match victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Salem's offense featured two Vikings with over 10 kills, led by Shairs' 13 and Kamanda's 10. 
• Carbone guided the Vikings' offense with a season-high 36 assists on the day.
• For the Rams, Natalie Reynolds and Lowe led Framingham's offense with 18 and 10 kills, respectively.
• Stella Bailey dished out a match-high 43 helpers.

UP NEXT

• Salem kicks off a three-game road trip starting on Wednesday, October 1, at Westfield State, starting at 7:00 p.m.