Framingham, MA – Behind tournament MVP Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, MA), the Framingham State University volleyball team captured the 2014 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Volleyball Tournament Championship with a 3-0 victory over Worcester State University in the tournament finals at Framingham’s Athletic Center.

With the victory the Rams improve to 23-11 on the season and receive the MASCAC’s automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship with pairings and seedings being announced on Monday.

The top seed Rams opened the day defeating fourth seed Bridgewater State University 3-1 in one semifinal match, while second seed Worcester State defeated third seed Westfield State 3-1 in the other semifinal to reach the championship match against the Rams.

Bridgewater State took the first set from the Rams in thrilling fashion 25-23.  The Rams took the second game 25-23 and rallied from a 20-17 deficit in the third to take that frame 25-21 before closing the match with a 25-22 victory in the fourth set.

Rackliffe led the Rams in the opener with 14 kills on 38 attempts with five blocks and seven digs, while sophomore Julia Wan (South Deerfield, MA) also picked up 14 kills to go along with 10 digs and two blocks.  Junior Danielle Girard (Tivoli, NY) picked up a double double with 12 kills and 14 digs, while senior Maribeth Martin (Barnstable, MA) added 17 set assists.

The Bears were led by 17 kills and 10 digs from sophomore Hannah Maymon (Narragansett, RI).  Freshman Christina Jaros (Plymouth, MA) chipped in with 12 kills and four blocks, while sophomore Charleyne Panner (Gilford, NH) added 21 assists.

The Rams cruised to the victory in the championship match defeating the Lancers 25-7, 25-16 and 25-22.

Rackliffe once again led the attack with 12 kills, two aces and two blocks, while Wan finished with seven kills, 15 digs and three assists.  Girard closed the tournament with a five kill and 14 dig performance, while freshman Molly Meehan (Quincy, MA) chipped in with 14 digs.

The Lancers were led by 10 kills and 11 digs from senior Alyssa Jasper (Rockland, Mass.), while junior Jennifer Cabral (Swansea, Mass.) added 13 defensive digs.

Thanks to Kathy Lynch, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information at Framingham State University for contributing this story. For more FSU RAMS sports info, box scores, calendar of upcoming games and sporting events, visit their website at: www.fsurams.com

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