PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman Nora Ryan (Groton, Conn.) slammed seven kills and added three blocks, but Eastern Connecticut State University rode a strong offense to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-22) win over Plymouth State University in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's volleyball match at Foley Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
 
The Warriors used a 7-0 runs in both the first and second sets to take control early. PSU led for much of the third set but ECSU used a 5-2 spurt to break a 20-20 tie and complete the sweep.
 
Plymouth State dips to 2-2 (2-2 LEC), while Eastern Connecticut remains unbeaten at 4-0 (4-0 LEC).
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 0, Eastern Conn. St. 3
  • Plymouth State (2-2, 2-2 LEC)
  • Eastern Conn. St. (4-0, 4-0 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Nora Ryan (7 kills, 3 blks, 5 digs)
• Emilee Flanagan (5 kills, 5 digs)
• Alexa Price (22 asts, 7 digs)

How it Happened:

• Ryan's kill gave the Panthers an early 3-2 lead, but the Warriors ran off the next seven points to pull ahead.
• PSU pulled to within five, 15-10, after back-to-back kills from freshman Elsa MacNeill (Acton, Mass.) and Ryan, but ECSU scored six of the next seven points to extend the margin to 21-11 and the Warriors would go on to win 25-15.
• Ryan and MacNeill combined for a block during a 4-0 spurt as the Panthers took a 6-4 lead in set two. The visitors responded with another 7-0 surge to go in front for good. A kill from junior Maria Wimpey (Concord, N.H.) cut the deficit to 20-15, but Eastern Connecticut answered with four straight points before claiming the 25-16 win.
• PSU showed its fighting spirit in the third set. Ryan found the open floor, then served an ace to give the Panthers an early 8-5 advantage. Sophomore Emilee Flanagan (Milton, N.H.) added a pair of kills as the lead extended to 13-7, but the Warriors battled back to square the game at 16-16.
• The teams traded points from there until ECSU used a kill and ace to grab a 22-20 lead. Plymouth State pulled to within one on two separate occasions, but a Warriors' kill closed out the set, 25-22.

By the Numbers:

• Junior Alexa Price (Moultonborough, N.H.) navigated the offense with 22 assists and added seven digs and an ace.
• Ryan led the team with seven kills, while Flanagan added five and MacNeill chipped in with four.
• Junior Hannah Chartier (Weare, N.H.) posted a team-best 12 digs in the setback.
• The Panthers offense hit .219 in the third set but was limited to .088 for the match.

Up Next:

• PSU wraps up its season at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth a week from Thursday (Apr. 29).