'MANCHESTER, N.H. - The Southern New Hampshire University volleyball team defeated Keene State College 3-1 in a non-conference match up at the SNHU Fieldhouse here tonight.  The Penmen improved their overall record to 3-4, while it marked the 2005 season opener for KSC and the debut of new coach Bob Weiner.

The match started with a close first game as the Penmen won 30-27.  The Owls battled back to take game two (30-24), but SNHU held them off in games three (30-23) and four (30-17) to complete the best-of-five match.

Senior outside hitter Deanna Guenther (Apollo, Penn.) led the Penmen with a team-high 14 kills and 21 digs, while classmate Brittany Porter (Riverton, W.Y.) and freshman Brianna Doucet (Danville, N.H.) each added 12 kills.  Freshman setter Nicky Dumond (Tewksbury, Mass.) recorded 30 assists and 14 digs on the night, and junior libero Colleen Eddy (Dracut, Mass.) added 17 digs.

The Owls were led by senior middle hitter Shelly Ellis (Hampton, N.H.) with 15 kills and nine digs.  Also contributing for Keene were freshman outside hitter Brittany O'Bryant (Merrimack, N.H.), who had eight kills and 11 digs, and sophomore defensive specialist Ashley Brock (Rochester, N.H.) who recorded 14 digs. 

SNHU returns to Northeast-10 Conference play Tuesday (9/13) when it travels to Assumption College for a 7 p.m. match.  Keene State will play at the Rivier College Tournament on Saturday (9/10).

(Courtesy of SNHU Sports Information)