BOSTON, Mass. – Freshmen
Sya McKay (Somersworth, N.H.) and
Alice Borriello Diaz (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) notched six kills apiece, but Wentworth Institute of Technology held off Plymouth State University, 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-15), in non-conference women's volleyball action at Tansey Gymnasium on Thursday.
PSU battled through the first set, but the Leopards scored consecutive points to snap a 23-23 tie and win the opening frame. The second set was deadlocked at 14-14 before Wentworth went on a 6-0 run to take control, and although the Panthers mounted a late rally, the hosts held on. Wentworth completed the sweep by pulling away in the latter stages of set three.
Plymouth State slips to 13-6, while the Leopards improve to 14-4.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, Wentworth 3
- Plymouth State (13-6)
- Wentworth (14-4)
How it Happened:
- The opening set featured nine ties and three lead changes. Plymouth State built an early lead behind two McKay kills and a service ace from senior Veronika Castro Rodriguez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico), forcing a timeout with PSU ahead 9-5. Wentworth rallied to even the score at 13-13, and the teams traded points down the stretch. Borriello Diaz's kill and a Wentworth error tied the score at 23-23, but the hosts scored the final two points for the 25-23 win.
- Wentworth held a narrow lead early, but the Panthers stayed close. An ace from graduate student Ella Koelb (Auburn, N.H.) tied the score at 14-14, though the Leopards responded with six straight points. Plymouth State mounted a late 5-1 surge, aided by back-to-back aces from sophomore Danielle Emerson (Biddeford, Maine) to get within three, 23-20, but Wentworth closed out the set, 25-20.
- The Leopards jumped to a 12-7 lead, and a 3-0 spurt extended the margin to 15-8, prompting a PSU timeout. The Panthers regrouped out of the break, cutting the deficit to 16-12, but Wentworth answered with 9-3 run to complete the sweep, 25-15.
By the Numbers:
- Borriello Diaz posted six kills (.250), six digs, one block, and an ace.
- McKay added six kills, while sophomore Sydney Riley (Haverhill, Mass.) contributed four kills and two blocks.
- Koelb recorded 15 assists, five kills, two aces, three digs, and one block.
- Castro Rodriguez led the team with three aces, and graduate student Ava Duymazlar (Center Harbor, N.H.) had a team-high seven digs.
- Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 3-1. The teams had not met since 1999.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits Eastern Connecticut State for a key Little East Conference (LEC) match on Saturday (Oct. 18). First serve is set for 2 p.m.
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