COURTESY PHOTO OF PSU ATHLETICS
The Plymouth State Volleyball team played against the University of Southern Maine on Tuesday night in a Little East Conference match-up. This game wasn’t only big being an LEC game but was also a ‘Pink Night’ in representation for breast cancer awareness. The Panthers walked away with the win and moved their record to 8-11 and 1-3 in the LEC.
The first match-up gave USM the positive energy as they took an early 12-8 lead. As it went on, they extended it to 19-13, eventually taking the first win. The second set started off similar, with another early lead taken by USM, this time 13-7. After Plymouth regrouped with a timeout, they found the fire and determination they needed. The Panthers got within four points after explosive performances by Francie Shaffer (Frederick CO) and Shannon Howland (Delmar NY). The pair gave a kill and ace respectively. After a few errors from USM, the panther’s pulled ahead by one but it was short lived as they tied at 20 a few minutes later. Just clinging to a lead by a measly point, Ari Linden (Lena IL) had back to back kills, and Shaffer nailed it shut with kills to end it 25-22.
A different change of pace for the third set as it was PSU who pulled out ahead this time coming off their won set. Shaffer came out exploding with five kills all back to back but USM couldn’t match them. Shaffer controlled this set, giving a final kill to win this set as well. Plymouth walked into the fourth set ready to grab the last win and secure the big win all together. But USM was ready to stay in the game as it went back and forth the whole time. Each team getting point by point, never grabbing a big lead. The game was at 24-24 and after a missed serve from USM and yet another kill by Shaffer, Plymouth grabbed the win for the night.
PSU’s aggressive game gave them a season high of 51 assists and 66 digs.
The girls are back this Saturday as they travel to Endicott for a double header. The first game is set for 11 a.m.