Falcons Women’s Volleyball Hard fought loss to Emmanuel

The Fitchburg State women’s volleyball team lost 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-21) to Emmanuel College on Tuesday. They lost in a sweep where the Falcons were unable to capture a set on the road at Emmanuel in Boston. The Saints (7-2) were a tough opponent, but the Falcons kept each set close. The Falcons put up a good fight though as all three sets were fairly close as they only lost by two points in the first set and 4 in the final two sets.
In the first set of the game, the Falcons put up a good fight but lost the first set 26-24. The set was back-and-forth and neither team went on any runs of points. Despite leading 19-14 in the first set, the Falcons struggled after a timeout, with Emmanuel scoring five straight points. At the end of the set Emmanuel called a timeout when the set was knotted up at 23 apiece. This timeout sealed the win for the Saints as they won 3 of the final 4 points of the game with a kill from (Junior Outside hitter) Isabella Marquez to seal the set for Emmanuel.

In the second set, the Falcons fell behind early going down 7-3 for the first 10 points of the game. (Senior outside hitter)Samantha Mirr and (Junior Outside Hitter)Stephanie Sardella scored the only points for the Falcons all on kills. The Falcons then dropped the next 6 points making it extremely difficult for them to recover from the rough start to the set. A Fitchburg timeout seemed to have moved the tide after the rough start as they went on a few runs to get set back to 23-21 Emmanuel. They had outscored the Saints 17- 10 in the next 27 points. This run was impressive but the Saints early lead made it very difficult for the Falcons and the Saints won the final 2 points to win the set.

The final set was very competitive with neither team leading by more than 4 points at any time. Even though the set was close to the end the Saints picked up the last few points to pull out a scrappy win of the set and the game as a whole. There are many things that the Falcons should take away from this, they played very well in all 3 sets even if the scoreboard did not show.

The key of the game for the Saints was not their offense but rather their defense where they had 58 digs and averaged 7 blocks per set. The Falcons played very well in the defeat as their defense stood out as well with 48 digs and averaged 6 blocks per game. The problem came from their attack as their hitting percentage the Falcons hit .143, while the Saints hit .205. This seemed to be the case for why the Falcons lost. They showed that they can bounce back from tough starts to sets and this is important to remember if they would like to turn their season around. The standouts for the Falcons were Sardella and Mirra with a team-high 10 kills. Along with eight Digs for Sardella and five for Mirra.

NOTES AND REVISIONS:
Feedback on the Article:
This is a good first effort. You do well in getting all the important details into your story. Here are a few things to consider as you revise this piece. It may feel like a lot initially, but take it one edit at a time. As you start to become more accustomed to the writing style and you cultivate your voice, this will get a lot easier.
1. Start with the Final Outcome:
Why: The first sentence in sports stories should immediately tell the reader who won and what the score was. This gives your reader a quick summary before getting into the details.
Example: Instead of “The Fitchburg State University Women’s volleyball team was defeated on Tuesday the 14th by Emmanuel Saints…,” try something like:“The Fitchburg State women’s volleyball team lost 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-21) to Emmanuel College on Tuesday.”
2. Use Simple Numbers for Scores and Stats:
Why: In AP style (used in journalism), we always use numerals for stats and scores. Also, no need for the percent sign when referring to hitting percentages.
Example: Instead of “Their hitting percentage (.143%) while the Saints’ hitting percentage was much higher at (.205%),” you could write:“The Falcons hit .143, while the Saints hit .205.”
3. Focus on Key Moments:
Why: Your readers want to know about the turning points of the game — the moments when things shifted or big plays were made. Try to zoom in on those key moments without repeating too much.
Example: Instead of repeating the score too many times, try focusing on the turning points like this:“Despite leading 19-14 in the first set, the Falcons struggled after a timeout, with Emmanuel scoring five straight points to win the set 26-24.”This shortens the recap but keeps the key moment: the momentum change after the timeout.
4. Highlight Standout Players:
Why: Sports readers like to know who performed well, so make sure to mention the standout players and their stats. If you can, include their positions for added detail.
Example: Instead of “Samantha Mirra (Sr) and Stephanie Sardella (Jr) scored the only points for the Falcons all on kills,” you could write:“Outside hitter Samantha Mirra (Sr.) led the Falcons with 10 kills, while junior middle blocker Stephanie Sardella added 10 kills and 8 digs.”
5. Keep the Writing Clear and Direct:
Why: Simple, direct sentences are key in sports writing. Avoid using too much extra language or phrases that aren’t necessary. Your writing will be stronger and more engaging if it’s to the point.
Example: Instead of saying “The Saints are a very formidable opponent as their 7-2 record indicates,” you could write:“The Saints (7-2) were a tough opponent, but the Falcons kept each set close.”
What to Aim For as a Sports Reporter:
Start with the score: Lead with the final score and result so readers know what happened right away.
Keep stats simple: Use numerals for scores and stats. For hitting percentages, no need for the percent sign.
Highlight key moments: Focus on major turning points or big plays that defined the game.
Shout out top players: Always mention standout players and their key stats — readers want to know who made an impact.
Be neutral and objective: Keep your tone factual and avoid personal opinions or overly dramatic language.
You’ve got the basics down. Remember, the goal is to make it clear, easy to follow, and packed with the most important details. If you have any questions or want more feedback, feel free to ask — you’re on the right track!