DANBURY, Conn. - The Western Connecticut State University volleyball team rallied from a game down to defeat Plymouth State University, 3-1, in a Little East Conference match Saturday afternoon at Feldman Arena.

            The Colonials and Panthers are now tied for second place in the LEC, both with 2-1 conference records.  WestConn improved to 8-6 overall, while PSU is now 6-3.

            Plymouth State came out strong and took the opening game, 30-20.  But WestConn came back to even the match with a 30-14 decision in the second game, and then pulled away with back-to-back 30-22 decisions in games three and four.

            Kathryn Kupchik (Cromwell, Conn.) and Natalie Crosby (East Haven, Conn.) recorded 15 and 14 kills, respectively, to lead the Colonial hitters.  Kupchik also added four blocks and Crosby made 11 digs.  Setter Samantha Hathaway (Milford, Conn.) finished with 42 assists.

            Sophomore Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I.) returned from an injury and made her season debut with 14 kills and two blocks.  Junior Sarah Spears (Meredith, N.H.) recorded 26 digs and four service aces, and sophomore setter Brianna Kleckner (Terryville, Conn.) finished with 31 assists.

            Plymouth State is back in action next Friday and Saturday at the Johnson & Wales Tournament in Providence, R.I.

(Courtesy of Western Connecticut Sports Information)

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