DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Sophomore
Sya McKay (Somersworth, N.H.) recorded a team-high nine kills and sophomore
Alice Borriello Diaz (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) served five aces, but the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth topped Plymouth State University, 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-16), in a Little East Conference women's volleyball match at Tripp Athletic Center on Friday night.
Plymouth State mounted a late rally in the opening set, using a 10-4 run to pull within 24-22, but the Corsairs held on for the win. The second set remained close throughout, with UMass Dartmouth using a late run to build a five-point lead before holding on for a 25-23 victory. The Corsairs then closed out the match with a 10-1 run in the third set to complete the sweep.
Plymouth State slips to 16-5 (5-2 LEC), while the Corsairs improve to 14-7 (7-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, UMass Dartmouth 3
- Plymouth State (16-5, 5-2 LEC)
- UMass Dartmouth (14-7, 7-1 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Consecutive aces gave the Corsairs a 9-6 lead in the opening set, and the hosts extended the margin to 20-12 on a Plymouth State error. Sophomore Fiona Bailey (Wrentham, Mass.) recorded a kill to spark a late rally, and classmate Emily Sousa (Farmington, Conn.) added an ace to prompt a UMass Dartmouth timeout. Junior Sydney Riley (Haverhill, Mass.) added a kill out of the break, but the Corsairs earned a final sideout to secure a 25-22 win.
- The Panthers held a modest lead early in the second set, but a five-point run gave the Corsairs the advantage. Plymouth State stayed within striking distance until a three-point spurt extended the UMass Dartmouth lead to 24-19. The Panthers responded with four straight points, including a pair of Borriello Diaz aces, to pull within 24-23, but the Corsairs recorded a final kill to win 25-23.
- McKay's kill gave the Panthers a 10-7 lead early in the third set. UMass Dartmouth stayed close before taking control with a 10-1 run to build a 20-13 advantage. The teams exchanged points the rest of the way, and a final Corsairs kill sealed the 25-16 win.
By the Numbers:
- McKay finished with nine kills and four blocks, while Riley added five kills and five blocks.
- Bailey chipped in six kills and two blocks.
- Junior Addison Soleau (Niantic, Conn.) hit .333 with five kills and two blocks.
- Junior Danielle Emerson (Biddeford, Maine) recorded 16 assists and 11 digs, while Borriello Diaz finished with five aces.
- Senior Christina Imbriano (Wakefield, Mass.) led the back row with 14 digs.
- Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 30-6. The teams have met in the LEC Tournament championship match in each of the last three seasons.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits Worcester State on Saturday (Oct. 31) for a tri-match with the host Lancers and Elms College. The Panthers face Worcester State at 11 a.m. and Elms at 1 p.m.
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