Volleyball advances to MASCAC semis with 3-1 win over Salem, Clark sets all time kills mark
North Adams, MA- The third seeded MCLA Volleyball team overcame a slow start to defeat the sixth seeded Salem State Vikings 3-1 in a MASCAC quarterfinal matchup held in the Amsler Center Gymnasium. With the win, the Trailblazers (16-13) will move on to the semifinal round and face second seeded Westfield State on Saturday. The top seed, the Framingham State Rams will host the remainder of the tournament.
Trailblazer senior Allison Clark (San Jose, CA) led all players with 12 kills on the night. With her effort tonight, Clark broke the all time kills mark at MCLA besting the 775 that Kayla Bromback tallied during her career. Clark now has 777 heading into the semifinal round.
The visiting Vikings started fast as they burst out to a 6-0 lead in the opening set forcing a Trailblazer timeout. MCLA responded by scoring five straight themselves to get back into the set. Neither team would lead by more than three points the rest of the way and with MCLA trailing 22-21, they would rattle off four straight points to take the first 25-22.
The second set started the same way as the Vikings would jump out in front 7-2 before MCLA eventually went on a 7-2 spurt of their own to knot it up at 9-9. They would eventually pull away and when Brooke Queripel swatted down the final point, MCLA took the second set 25-19.
The Vikings wouldn't go quietly however as they dominated the third set. Salem led just 9-7 early in the set, but they would outscore MCLA 16-4 the rest of the way to cruise to a 25-11 set victory and force a fourth.
In the fourth, MCLA was just too much to handle as Clark notched five kills in the decisive set as the Trailblazers would pull away for a 25-12 clincher.
Clark earned her 12 kills on 45 attacks. The senior finished the double double with 15 digs. Maggie Allen added 6 kills while Taylor Wiese had 16 assists and Beatrice Lechler added 12. Michelle Laga had a team best 21 digs while Lechler added 13 respectively. MCLA notched 13 aces led by Lechler and Laga who each had three.
The Vikings were paced on offense by Chloe Roy's 11 kills on 49 attacks. Emily Hennessy added 7 kills for Salem. Morgan Adams dished out 11 assists while Mackenzie Salls added 9. On defense, Hannah Mullarkey had 29 digs while Samantha Chaisson ended with 13.
The Vikings end their season at 6-25.
MCLA will move on to play second seeded Westfield State Saturday at 1pm in Framingham. Back on September 13th, the Owls defeated the Trailblazers 3-0 in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.