PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Plymouth State University split a pair of women's volleyball matches Saturday afternoon in a Little East Conference round robin at Foley Gymnasium, defeating Rhode Island College in its first match before falling to Eastern Connecticut State University in the nightcap.

            The Panthers started the day with a 3-1 win over RIC (21-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-14), but lost in three sets to Eastern Conn., 25-21, 26-24, 25-17.  Eastern also defeated RIC in the middle match, 17-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-14.  PSU is now 7-3 overall and 1-1 in LEC play, while Eastern Conn. is 6-5 and 2-0 and RIC is 3-10 and 0-2.

            Junior Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I.) led the way for PSU in the win over RIC, recording 23 kills and three blocks.  Classmate Carly Newton (Centerville, Mass.) added 10 kills and freshman Meghan Sullivan (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) chipped in with nine kills.  Other strong performances came from juniors Brianna Kleckner (Terryville, Conn.) and Kathy Frankowski (Farmington, Conn.), Kleckner with eight kills and 42 set assists and Frankowski with 11 digs and five service aces.  Senior libero Sarah Spears (Meredith, N.H.) finished with a team-high 18 digs.

            Badeau contributed a team-high 16 kills and one block in the setback to Eastern Conn.  Spears and Kleckner each had 15 digs.

            PSU is back in action Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. with a non-conference match at Rivier College. 

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