Story written and posted by Anthony Perry '08, Fisher College Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information

LYNDONVILLE, VT. – Returning to the court for the first time since October 26, 2019, the Fisher College Women's Volleyball team emerged victorious as they swept Northern Vermont University-Lyndon in straight sets in the 2021 season opener. The Falcons won by set scores of 25-9, 25-1, and 25-10.

Fisher came out flying in the first set as they rallied off 10 consecutive points while freshman Paola Velazquez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) was serving. Junior Macy Barnes (Duart, Calif.) finished off the set with an emphatic kill, one of her five kills in the opening frame. The second set was more of the same as the Falcons rolled off 21 straight points, including four service aces from freshman Edsyl Irrizary (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), as they went on to win 25-1 to gain the two-set advantage. In the third and final set, Barnes added another five kills to lift the Falcons to their first win of 2021 and the first under the coaching tandem of Natividad Manalo '19 and Anthony Perry '08.

Barnes finished her first contest on the east coast leading the team with 14 kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Velazquez dished out 14 assists in her collegiate debut while Irrizary added seven service aces and eight digs. Senior Lia Aime (Las Piedras, Puerto Rico) collected the game-high 12 digs along the backline setting the tone for her final year in the blue-and-white. Junior Aya Al-Juraishi (Walnut, Calif.) chipped in with three kills and a block solo along with freshman Lilliana Figueroa (Fajardo, Puerto Rico), who added four kills and a .667 hitting percentage in the win. Also shining bright for Fisher in the season opener was Nathalie Rodriguez Cruz (Guarbo, Puerto Rico), who added two kills and a dig in her first Fisher appearance, and Natalia Ortiz (Humacao, Puerto Rico) added a kill, two assists, and six digs on the night.

NVU-Lyndon was led by Calysta Lohman and Kiana Jones, who each hammered down the team-high of four kills. Charlotte Morris handed out seven assists and seven digs to lead the Hornets in each category.

Fisher will return to action on Saturday, September 11th as they travel to Milton, Mass. for a tri-match with Curry College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The first game is set for 11am.