WORCESTER, Mass. – Sophomore
Sydney Riley (Haverhill, Mass.) and freshman
Sya McKay (Somersworth, N.H.) delivered big performances at the net as Plymouth State University swept a non-conference volleyball tri-match at Lancer Gymnasium on Saturday. The Panthers topped Worcester State University, 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-15), before rallying past Connecticut College, 3-1 (18-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-20).
Against Worcester State, PSU used a pair of lengthy scoring runs to pull away in each of the first two sets. The Panthers jumped out to a five-point lead early in set three and never looked back, as Riley and McKay combined for 17 kills with just two attack errors to secure the sweep.
The duo stayed hot against Connecticut College, helping the Panthers rebound from a first-set loss to take the next three. McKay's kill and block broke a 21-21 tie in set two to spark the comeback, while Riley's late winner provided breathing room in the third. PSU opened up a six-point cushion in set four and held off the Camels the rest of the way. Riley finished with 11 kills (.421 attack pct.), while McKay added 10 kills (.360).
Plymouth State improves to 6-4. Worcester State, which fell to the Camels in the day's final match, drops to 1-9, while Conn. College moves to 3-3.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Worcester State 0
- Plymouth State 3, Conn. College 1
- Plymouth State (6-4)
- Worcester State (1-9)
- Conn. College (3-3)
How it Happened (Worcester State):
- The opening set was tied at 8-8 before the Panthers used a 14-4 surge to pull away. Riley, McKay, and sophomore Kaelyn Engeian (Dunstable, Mass.) contributed kills during the run, while sophomore Danielle Emerson (Biddeford, Maine) served up three aces as PSU rolled, 25-13.
- Set two followed a similar pattern. With the score even at 13-13, graduate student Ella Koelb (Auburn, N.H.) sparked a 7-0 run with a kill as PSU seized control. Worcester State closed to within 22-18 late, but junior Annalyn Cahill (Mystic, Conn.) put away a kill to stop the rally as the Panthers held on, 25-18.
- PSU built an early 12-5 lead in set three, helped by several Lancer miscues. Emerson's two late aces extended the margin to 22-14, and McKay followed with back-to-back kills before Koelb closed the match with a winner for a 25-15 victory.
By the Numbers (Worcester State):
- Riley hit .500 with a match-best 10 kills.
- McKay added seven kills (.400), five digs and two blocks.
- Koelb posted seven kills, 14 assists, and 10 digs.
- Emerson tallied 13 assists, five aces and six digs.
- Graduate student Ava Duymazlar (Center Harbor, N.H.) added 10 digs and two aces.
- Plymouth State improves to 14-1 all-time against the Lancers.
How it Happened (Conn. College):
- The Camels led most of the opening set and closed on an 8-2 run to win, 25-18.
- PSU trailed 19-15 in set two but rallied after a Riley kill out of a timeout. Emerson served the Panthers ahead, 21-20, and they never trailed again. Koelb's kill set up set point at 24-22, and a Conn. College service error sealed the 25-23 win.
- The Panthers built a four-point lead in set three before the Camels closed to within one, 20-19. Riley responded with back-to-back kills to push the lead to 23-20, and McKay closed out the set with consecutive kills for the 25-21 win.
- PSU raced out to a 7-2 start in set four, forcing an early Camel timeout. Conn. College cut the deficit to 21-18, but freshman Alice Borriello Diaz (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) answered with a key kill as the Panthers held on, 25-20.
By the Numbers (Conn. College):
- Riley tallied 11 kills (.421) and two blocks, while McKay hit .360 with 10 kills and three blocks.
- Freshman Fiona Bailey (Wrentham, Mass.) chipped in a team-high 10 kills.
- Emerson finished with 28 assists and nine digs.
- Duymazlar collected a match-high 15 digs, while senior Veronika Castro Rodriguez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) added 12.
- The Panthers even the all-time series at 1-1, avenging a four-set loss in 2006.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns home to face Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Tuesday (Sept. 16). First serve is set for 5:00 p.m.
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