PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Sya McKay (Somersworth, N.H.0 and junior
Sydney Riley (Haverhill, Mass.) combined for 25 kills, 12 blocks and just one attack error as Plymouth State University swept Eastern Connecticut State University, 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-13), in a Little East Conference women's volleyball match on
Senior Day at Foley Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers relied on powerful attacks and big blocks from their dynamic duo in the middle, while senior
Annalyn Cahill (Mystic, Conn.) and junior
Addison Soleau (Niantic, Conn.) contributed nine kills and eight blocks combined on the right side.
The opening set remained close through the midpoint before McKay's kill sparked a 5-1 run, extending the Panthers' lead to 18-11. Plymouth State closed out the 25-18 win with three more McKay kills. The second set featured scoring runs by both teams as PSU twice built six-point leads, only to see the Warriors battle back. Plymouth State held a narrow 22-20 advantage before late kills from Riley and Soleau, followed by an Eastern Connecticut service error, secured the 25-22 win. After falling behind early in the third set, the Panthers closed out the sweep with a decisive 21-7 run.
Prior to the match, Plymouth State honored Cahill and senior
Christa Imbriano (Wakefield, Mass.) for their commitment and dedication to the program during an on-court
Senior Day ceremony.
Plymouth State improves to 14-4 (4-1 LEC), while Eastern Connecticut falls to 10-6 (2-2 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Eastern Connecticut 0
- Plymouth State (14-4, 4-1 LEC)
- Eastern Connecticut (10-6, 2-2 LEC)
How it Happened:
- PSU held a narrow 9-8 led in the opening set before back-to-back Eastern Connecticut errors and a Cahill kill helped the Panthers take control. Riley's kill extended the lead to 21-14, forcing a Warriors' timeout. Soleau and Riley teamed up for a block, and McKay added three more kills to seal the 25-18 win.
- Sophomore Alice Borriello Diaz (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) served the Panthers to a 7-1 lead in the second set, but ECSU responded with a five-point run to force a timeout. Plymouth State answered, and McKay's kill extended the advantage to 17-11. The Warriors again chipped away, cutting the deficit to 22-20, but kills from Riley and Soleau, followed by an Eastern Connecticut service error, secured the 25-22 victory.
- Eastern Connecticut built an early lead in the third set, but Plymouth State stayed within striking distance before tying the score at 6-6. The Panthers dominated at the net from there, recording six blocks during a 16-3 run to put the match out of reach. Riley finished off the 25-13 win with another thunderous kill to complete the sweep.
By the Numbers:
- McKay led the offense with 15 kills on 22 attempts (.682), committing no attack errors while adding seven blocks.
- Riley recorded 10 kills, hit .529 and added five blocks.
- Cahill contributed eight kills (.316) and three blocks, while Soleau added five blocks.
- Junior Danielle Emerson (Biddeford, Maine) posted a match-high 23 assists and added six digs.
- Imbriano's 17 digs were a match best.
- Plymouth State hit .359 for the match while holding the Warriors to .107.
- The Panthers registered 12 total team blocks, compared to two for Eastern Connecticut.
- Eastern Connecticut leads the all-time series, 23-22, but Plymouth State has won the last six meetings.
Up Next:
- The Panthers remain home to face Southern Maine on Wednesday (Oct. 21) at 5 p.m.
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