(Box score vs. ECSU) (Box Score vs. RIC) 

            PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Plymouth State University earned a pair of victories at a Little East Conference tri-match held Saturday afternoon at The Murray Center on the campus of Rhode Island College.

             The Panthers stay unbeaten with victories over Eastern Connecticut State University and host RIC, improving to 11-0 overall and 2-0 in the LEC. RIC (8-7, 1-1) split its matches, while Eastern Conn. (6-5, 0-2) dropped both of its contests. The 11-0 record for Plymouth State matches the 2002 team for the second-best start in school history; the 1996 Panthers won their first 20 in their inaugural varsity season.

            Eastern Conn. won the first set against Plymouth State in the middle match of the day, the first set PSU has dropped this season, but the Panthers came roaring back to sweep the next three frames (23-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22). PSU senior middle hitter Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I.) led the way with 23 kills. Senior setter Brianna Kleckner (Terryville, Conn.) handed out 43 assists and made 14 digs. Sophomore libero Alex Avery (Milton, NH) led the way with 24 digs, while sophomore middle hitter Elissa Morin (Nashua, NH) swatted away four attempts. Ibsen posted 18 winners for ECSU, while Carrier handed out 33 assists and sophomore libero Taylor Abelli (Cheshire, CT) was credited with 35 digs.

            PSU wrapped up a perfect afternoon with a decisive, 3-0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-23) victory over RIC in the final match. Badeau posted 20 kills, Kleckner set up 38 winners and both Avery and senior defensive specialist Kathy Frankowski (Farmington, CT) each registered 14 digs. Oberhelman logged seven kills, Ho had 17 assists and Boyer had 10 digs for the Anchorwomen.

            RIC overcame a 1-0 deficit after the first set in the day¹s first match to defeat the Warriors, 3-1 (13-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22). Freshman outside hitter Breanna Boyer (West Greenwich, RI) and junior opposite April Oberhelman (Woonsocket, RI) paced the host¹s attack with seven kills apiece. Freshman setter Jessica Ho (Providence, RI) handed out 21 assists, while freshman middle blocker Kalyn Archer (Warwick, RI) had five blocks.

            The win over Eastern Connecticut snapped a nine-match conference losing streak for Rhode Island College and equaled the program¹s win total for the entire 2008 season.

            Plymouth State returns home to host Rivier College Tuesday evening at six o'clock.

(Courtesy of Rhode Island College Sports Information) 

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