PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Plymouth State University women's volleyball team split a pair of matches Friday evening in the Johnson & Wales University Fall Classic at the Harborside RAC, defeating Wheaton College 3-1 in the first match before falling to host JWU in the nightcap, 3-0.

            PSU rebounded from a 25-21 loss in the first set against Wheaton with three straight wins for a 3-1 victory.  The set scores were 25-17, 25-16, and 25-17.  Junior Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I.) led the way for the Panthers with 17 kills, four service aces and three blocks, while freshman Meghan Sullivan (Marlton, N.J.) contributed a double-double with 10 kills and 15 digs. Wheaton is now 4-11 overall.

            Johnson & Wales swept PSU in three games in the second match, 25-20, 25-22, 25-19. Sullivan was the top hitter for the Panthers with eight kills and nine digs, while junior setter Brianna Kleckner (Terryville, Conn.) recorded 22 set assists and eight digs. The split left the Panthers with a 9-5 overall record on the season.

            JWU and Smith College both posted 2-0 records on Friday evening to share the tournament lead.  The hosts defeated UMass Dartmouth and PSU to improve to 10-9 on the season while Smith downed Suffolk and UMass Dartmouth and is now 8-9.

            Tournament play continues Saturday with each team playing two more matches, with the tourney champion decided by the best overall record.  Plymouth State plays Smith at 12:00 p.m. and Suffolk at 2:00 p.m. 

(Courtesy of JWU Sports Information) 

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