PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman
Fiona Bailey (Wrentham, Mass.) hammered seven kills without an error, and for the second straight match Plymouth State University held its opponent to a negative attack percentage as the Panthers rolled past New England College, 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-8), in non-conference women's volleyball action at Foley Gymnasium on Thursday evening.
Playing in front of its home crowd for the first time this season, Plymouth State got contributions from across the roster to make quick work of the Pilgrims. PSU hit a solid .270 in the opening set – its lowest mark of the night – and built a four-point edge midway through the frame, then never looked back.
Graduate student
Ella Koelb (Auburn, N.H.) served eight straight points in the middle set to build a double-digit lead on the way to a comfortable win, while sophomore
Danielle Emerson (Biddeford, Maine) served the Panthers to a commanding 16-0 lead in the third set.
Plymouth State moves to 4-4 on the year, while NEC falls to 2-5.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, NEC 0
- Plymouth State (4-4)
- NEC (2-5)
How it Happened:
- The opening set was close until a Pilgrims' error and back-to-back kills from sophomore Sydney Riley (Haverhill, Mass.) and Bailey gave PSU a 9-6 cushion. Plymouth State maintained control the rest of the way, and an ace from graduate student Ava Duymazlar (Center Harbor, N.H.) forced an NEC timeout at 14-9. Riley's kill sparked a late 4-0 run as the Panthers took the frame, 25-16, with Riley tallying two kills and two blocks over the final four points.
- In set two, Riley's kill gave PSU a 6-3 edge before Koelb ripped off eight straight points for a 14-3 lead, forcing NEC to burn both of its timeouts. Strong net play from freshman Sya McKay (Somersworth, N.H.) stretched the margin to 22-9, and after Koelb's kill set up set point, an NEC error ended it, 25-11.
- Emerson opened the third set with a kill and then served the next 15 points as the Panthers dominated start to finish. Bailey put down back-to-back kills to cap the 25-8 sweep.
By the Numbers:
- Koelb and McKay led all players with nine kills apiece, while Bailey finished with seven kills on 14 swings without an error.
- McKay added three blocks.
- Koelb and Emerson dished out 15 assists each.
- Emerson chipped in three aces and seven digs.
- Riley recorded six kills and six blocks, while sophomore Annalyn Cahill (Mystic, Conn.) added four blocks.
- Duymazlar and freshman Alice Borriello Diaz (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) shared match-high honors with 10 digs apiece.
- PSU hit .280 for the match and held NEC to -.086.
- Plymouth State improves to 9-0 in the all-time series, with six wins coming in straight sets.
Up Next:
- The Panthers head to Worcester State for a tri-match with the Lancers and Connecticut College on Saturday (Sept. 13). First serve is set for 11:00 a.m.
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