Panthers move on to volleyball championship!

Gabriela Gondolfe

She/Her

SGA President Class of 2023

11/4/22

On Thursday, November 3rd, the Plymouth State Volleyball team hosted Eastern Connecticut at the Foley Gymnasium in the semifinal round for the Little East Conference (LEC). Plymouth State controlled the opening set of the match from start to finish. Senior Natalie Gravelle got the panthers off to a quick start with a kill and two aces as PSU jumped out to a 6-2 advantage. Junior Nora Ryan had three kills and contributed on a block as the lead swelled to 18-10, but Eastern Connecticut rallied with six straight points. Plymouth State quickly recovered because Gravelle and Junior Ryley McNeeley had kills ahead of a Warriors’ error to close out the first set, 25-19. The Eastern Connecticut Warriors maintained a slight advantage through much of the second set before PSU rallied and the Panthers seized a 2-0 lead. Plymouth State looked prepared to sweep, but the Warriors stormed back to take leads of  23-20 and 24-22. PSU fought off three set points, though, completing the sweep with a 28-26 win. Stars of the game were Nora Ryan who smashed 12 kills and added five blocks to help lift Plymouth State to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 28-26) win over fifth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University. Senior Emilee Flanagan posted seven kills, and Sophomore Makayla Marucci was all over the backcourt with a match-high 20 digs. ECSU, which upset the Panthers at home in the semifinals a year ago, ends the year with a 15-10 mark. 

The atmosphere was electric with fans cheering on the Panther’s victory. Plymouth State moves to 21-6 and advances to the championship match for the second time in the last three full seasons. Top-seeded Plymouth State University and second-seeded Keene State College will renew their rivalry in the 2022 Little East Conference Women’s Volleyball Championship Tournament Final this Saturday, November 5th at 1 pm in the Foley Gymnasium. Good luck Panthers!