PLYMOUTH, NH -- The Elmira College Women's Volleyball fell in a pair of hard-fought matches to open the Granite State Challenge, as the Panthers of Plymouth State and the Pilgrims of New England College bested the Soaring Eagles.

Match 1
Elmira (2-4), was unable to generate much offense against Plymouth State (6-0), as the host Panthers picked up a 3-0 victory over the Soaring Eagles. The Panthers sported a very balanced attack on Friday afternoon, led by Allie Rogers, who floored seven kills against EC. Plymouth State was able to bombard the Purple and Gold from the service line, as the Panthers finished the three-set affair with 12 aces.

On the offensive side of the ball, Elmira was led by the duo of Lauren Smith '21 and Sam Sprague '22, who finished with five kills apiece. Kassi Hastings '21 led the squad with 13 assists. Amelia Martin '23 and Jena Gatto '20 each finished with four digs.

Match 2
In the second match of the day, the Purple and Gold battled New England College (2-2) inside Plymouth State's Foley Gymnasium.

After dropping the first two sets 25-19 and 25-17, respectively, Elmira came roaring back to take the third set. Martin and Savannah Terry '21 poured in three kills apiece during the set to help EC get back into the contest.

The Soaring Eagles jumped ahead of the Pilgrims, 15-8, following a 6-0 run highlighted by a massive double-block from Terry and Smith. New England pulled back within one point after a kill from Kennedy Somavia, but EC responded with a kill from Kaylene Sauschuck '22. Gatto recorded a service ace before rookie Samantha Proseus '23 floored a kill to bring the set to a close.

Elmira pushed the Pilgrims in the fourth set, but the Soaring Eagles were unable to capitalize on the momentum swing. After slipping behind early, a kill from Proseus off of a feed from Hastings knotted the score at 21-21. The score was knotted two more times, but New England fended off the Purple and Gold's final push.

Proseus led the Soaring Eagles with 10 kills, while Gatto posted a season-best 13 digs.

News and Notes

• Proseus 10 kills were a season-high.
• Hastings posted 37 assists across both matches.
• Terry tallied two blocks against New England, bringing her season total to 10.  
• EC recorded a season-best 11 service aces as a team against New England.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles are back in action on Saturday afternoon on day two of the Granite State Challenge. EC will take on the Owls of Keene State at noon before wrapping up the two-day affair against the Raiders of Rivier at 2:00 p.m.