KEENE, N.H. - Second-seeded Western Connecticut State University defeated third-seeded Plymouth State University Friday evening, 3-1, in a hard fought Little East Conference women's volleyball semifinal match at Spaulding Gym.

            Western Conn, (19-11) will face fifth-seed Eastern Conn. in Saturday's championship game at noon.  Eastern upset top-seeded Keene State, 3-2, in Friday's second semifinal.

            The two teams split the first two games with Western Conn. winning the first game 30-27 and Plymouth State taking the second 30-28. The Colonials won the next two games 30-28 and 30-27 to clinch the victory and advance to the championship match.

            Senior Heather Keogh (Monroe, Conn.), freshman Natalie Crosby (East Haven, Conn.), and freshman Danielle Spangler (Simi Valley, Ca.) had 12 kills each to lead the Colonials' offense.  Keogh had just three errors in 22 attack for a hitting percentage of .409.  Senior Krystal Wilson (Meridan, Conn.) had 25 digs, and Rebecaa Stein (Kingston, N.Y.) added eight solo blocks. Freshman setter Samantha Hathaway (Milford, Conn.) finished with seven service aces and 37 assists.

            Junior Regan Bowlen (Portsmouth, N.H.) had a match high 16 kills and five service aces to lead Plymouth State.  Sophomore Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I.) and junior Wendy Dziedzic (Nashua, N.H.) added 12 and 11 kills respectively.  Junior Sarah Spears (Meredith, N.H.) finished with 25 digs and sophomore setter Brianna Kleckner (Terryville, Conn.) contributed 39 assists. Badeau had five blocked assists.

            WSCU captured the LEC championship five times in 1999-2003.  PSC's lone title came in 2004.

            Plymouth State, 20-11 overall, will await a possible ECAC post-season berth, which will be announced on Monday.

(Courtesy of Keene State Sports Information)

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