'KEENE, N.H. 09/28/05 - The Keene State College volleyball team captured its first-ever victory over Little East Conference power Eastern Connecticut State University, 3-1, in its home season opener tonight at Spaulding Gymnasium. 

It was Keene State's (6-4, 3-1 LEC) first victory in 10 tries over ECSU, which advanced to the LEC championship match six of the last seven years.  In the previous 10 matches, KSC could muster just one game victory that came during the 2003 season. Eastern Conn. falls to 9-6 (3-1 LEC).

"This was definitely one win that we wanted," said first-year coach Bob Weiner.  "We knew it wasn't going to be easy, but our staff was confident we could do it; we just had to convince the team of that." 

"We haven't beaten Eastern since I've been here," said an enthusiastic senior Shelly Ellis, who finished with eight kills.  "It was a huge win that can be attributed to our new coach and so many talented freshmen."

The match scores were 30-27, 30-26, 18-30, 30-22.  Freshman Brittany O'Bryant (Merrimack, N.H.) had 20 digs and 11 kills to lead KSC.  Senior Lauren Graham (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) had 15 digs and Kelly Yankowski (Turners Falls, Mass.) finished with 26 assists, 12 digs, and 11 kills. 

Freshman Sandra Jaques (Milford, Conn.) led ECSU with 16 digs, while Chrissy Siranko (Danbury, Conn.) added eight kills, and Emma Sousa (Coventry, Conn.) finished with six blocks. 

Keene State will travel to the Connecticut College quad meet on Saturday (1 p.m.)