NEW LONDON, N.H. – Junior
Cami Wessels (Plantsville, Conn.) recorded a match-high nine kills to lead Plymouth State University to a sweep of Colby-Sawyer College, 3-0 (25-17, 25-8, 25-19), in a non-conference women's volleyball match at Hogan Sports Center on Thursday night.
The Panthers used a set-closing 13-2 run to erase a 15-12 deficit in the first set, then built an early 9-2 margin on the way to a 25-8 romp in set two. Plymouth State held a narrow 11-10 advantage early in the third set before using an 8-1 surge to take control and cruise to a 25-19 victory.
Plymouth State improves to 19-5 and will host the University of Massachusetts Boston in the regular-season finale on Saturday (Nov. 7) at noon. The Beacons (19-7, 7-0 LEC) have already clinched the No. 1 seed for next week's LEC Tournament and are looking to complete an unbeaten conference season.
Colby-Sawyer moves to 11-17.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Colby-Sawyer 0
- Plymouth State (19-5)
- Colby-Sawyer (11-17)
How it Happened:
- Things stayed close through much of the first set. The Chargers built a 15-12 advantage, but senior Annalyn Cahill (Mystic, Conn.) slammed a kill to spark a rally. Junior Sydney Riley (Haverhill, Mass.) recorded four blocks and sophomore Alexa Marucci (Newton, Mass.) served a pair of aces during a set-clinching 13-2 run. Riley and Wessels teamed up for a block to cap the 25-17 win.
- Aside from an early 2-2 tie, Plymouth State controlled the second set from start to finish. Marucci served the Panthers to a 9-2 advantage, and Wessels slammed three kills to help extend the lead to 15-4. Colby-Sawyer was unable to respond, as Cahill sealed the win with another kill for a 25-8 victory.
- Wessels and Cahill had early kills as the Panthers jumped out to a quick lead in the third set. Colby-Sawyer stayed close, pulling within one (11-10), but sophomore Sya McKay (Somersworth, N.H.) registered a kill. McKay and sophomore Emily Sousa (Farmington, Conn.) helped PSU extend its lead to 19-11 with strong service runs, and the Panthers never looked back. McKay's final kill wrapped up the 25-19 win.
By the Numbers:
- Wessels notched nine kills, three digs and a block.
- Junior Addison Soleau (Niantic, Conn.) chipped in six kills and hit .455, while Riley added six kills, four blocks and five digs.
- McKay and Cahill hammered five kills apiece.
- Sousa and freshman Kathryn Driend (Sandown, N.H.) combined for 27 assists.
- Marucci posted seven digs and three aces, while sophomore Alice Borriello Diaz (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) also served three aces.
- PSU limited the Chargers to a -.119 attack percentage.
- Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 25-12, and has won the last nine meetings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts UMass Boston in the regular-season finale on Saturday (Nov. 7). First serve for the team's Diabetes Awareness Game is set for noon.
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