HENNIKER, N.H. – Sophomore
Lindsey Sanderson (Gilford, N.H.) smashed a career-high ten kills as Plymouth State University coasted to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-22) win over New England College in a non-conference volleyball match at Bridges Gym on Thursday night.
The Panthers used a 6-0 run to pull away late in the first set, then scored the first five points of set two and never looked back to take a commanding 2-0 lead. After PSU got out to an early lead in set three, NEC tried to rally pulling to within one midway through the set. Sanderson's kill sparked a 5-1 spurt and the Panthers maintained control the rest of the way to pick up the win.
Plymouth State improves to 12-3, while NEC dips to 7-13.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, NEC 0
- Plymouth State (12-3)
- NEC (7-13)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State held a 10-8 lead in the opening set, but an NEC error, ace from junior Nora Ryan (Groton, Conn.) and Sanderson block with senior Emilee Flanagan (Milton, N.H.) gave the Panthers some breathing room. NEC came right back to tie the game at 13-13, but PSU regained the momentum. The Pilgrims again tried to rally, cutting the margin to 18-17, but Flanagan's kill led to a six-point run and Ryan's kill closed out the 25-18 win.
- Freshman Riley McDonough (Gilford, N.H.) served the Panthers to a 5-0 lead in set two. NEC pulled to within two, but a service error sparked a 5-0 run as PSU took control. The Panthers continued to stretch the lead as McDonough's back-to-back aces pushed the margin to double figures, 20-10, and Sanderson's kill closed out the 25-14 win.
- PSU used a 4-0 run to snap an early 3-3 tie. Senior Natalie Gravelle (Portsmouth, N.H.) found the floor to make it 12-7, but NEC answered to cut the deficit to one, 12-11. Plymouth State responded again with kills from Flanagan and sophomore Lilli Stogner (Weare, N.H.) to push the margin to 17-12. Moments later, Gravelle's kill made it 23-17 and, despite a late Pilgrims' run, PSU held on for the 25-22 victory capped by another Sanderson kill.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State served nine aces, with McDonough leading the way with three.
- Sanderson finished with a career-best ten kills and hit .320, while Flanagan added seven kills of her own.
- McDonough posted 12 assists and six digs to go with her strong serving, while freshman Kalista Butler (Philipsburg, Pa.) added 15 assists and seven digs.
- Stogner, Ryan and Flanagan all tallied three blocks as the Panthers controlled the net once again.
- Sophomore Makayla Marucci (Newton, Mass.) led the defense with 15 digs, with Stogner chipping in with 12.
- Plymouth State has won all five meetings between the two teams, dropping just two sets in the process.
Up Next:
- PSU welcomes Western Connecticut State to Foley Gymnasium on Saturday (Oct. 8) for a Homecoming clash with the Wolves. First serve is set for 11:00 a.m.
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