PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman middle hitter Sya McKay (Somersworth, N.H.) has been named the Plymouth State University Female Athlete of the Month for September, sponsored by the New Hampshire Army National Guard, after helping the Panthers to an outstanding 8-2 mark.
 
McKay made an immediate impact in her debut month, emerging as one of the top middle hitters in the Little East Conference (LEC). She posted 99 kills (2.75 per set) while hitting an efficient .329 across 10 matches, and added 29 total blocks (0.81 per set) and 14 service aces. Her 3.79 points per set led the team as she played a key role in both Plymouth State's offense and defense.
 
McKay announced her presence right away with double-digit kills in the first two matches of the month, slamming 11 kills against Lasell and 12 more against WPI in a tri-match on Sept. 6 – a pair of narrow five-set setbacks. The Panthers haven't lost since.
 
She continued her strong play through the middle of the month, hitting a blistering .750 with six kills, no errors, and five service aces in a sweep of Norwich on Sept. 9, before recording 10 kills in back-to-back wins over Connecticut College and Saint Joseph's (Maine) on Sept. 13 and 16, respectively.
 
McKay matched a career high with 12 kills (.409) in a sweep of Bridgewater State on Sept. 20, and her dominance at the net carried into the conference opener, when she tallied 11 kills and a season-best seven blocks in a 3-1 win over Rhode Island College on Sept. 27.
 
Behind McKay's steady presence, the Panthers went 8-2 overall and 1-0 in the LEC during the month, including a perfect 5-0 mark at home. Her breakout play also earned her three straight LEC Rookie of the Week honors in September, further solidifying her status as one of the region's most impactful newcomers.
 
Plymouth State (12-4, 2-0 LEC), now riding a 10-match win streak, hosts Keene State in a league match on Wednesday (Oct. 8) at 5 p.m.