Panthers defeat Smith and Mount Holyoke

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Little East Conference (LEC) got the better of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Saturday afternoon in women's volleyball as two LEC schools each won twice over NEWMAC schools in the LEC/NEWMAC Challenge at Foley Gymnasium.

            Plymouth State University defeated Smith College and Mount Holyoke College in three sets apiece, while Keene State College downed Smith in four sets and Mount Holyoke in three.  It was the fourth straight year that the four teams have collided in the LEC/NEWMAC Challenge.  Plymouth State improves to 15-10 overall, while Keene State is now 18-9, Mount Holyoke is 7-12, and Smith is 1-16.

            The Panthers defeated Smith in their first match, 25-17, 25-18 and 25-20.  Junior Elissa Morin (Nashua, N.H.) led the team with eight kills, while freshmen Allie Jones (Canton, Mass.) and Kaitlyn Tedeschi (Pascoag, R.I.) added seven kills each. Sophomore Casey Stoodley (Salem, N.H.) contributed six kills and five service aces and junior Danielle Stoodley (Salem, N.H.) recorded a team-high nine digs.  Junior Sarah Cady (Holliston, Mass.) contributed seven digs and 27 assists.

            It was more of the same for the Panthers in their second match as they rolled past Mount Holyoke, 25-14, 25-17 and 25-19.  Jones topped PSU with 10 kills, while Morin, Casey Stoodley and freshman Shannen Vaughn (Farmington, N.H.) added four kills each.  Danielle Stoodley recorded a team-high seven digs, and Cady contributed 22 assists and two blocks.

            Plymouth State is back in action Wednesday with a non-conference match at Middlebury College (7:00 p.m.) 

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