'KEENE, N.H. 9/28/06 -  The Keene State College defeated Rivier College 3-1 in a highly contested non-conference women's volleyball match held at Spaulding Gym on Thursday.

After winning the first two matches 30-26, 32-30, KSC lost the third game 30-24.  The Owls came back to win the deciding fourth game 30-27.

It was the third straight win for the Owls (13-5). Rivier drops to 10-4.

Brittany O'Bryant (Merrimack, N.H.) led the Owls with 18 kills, seven blocks, and 15 digs.  Kelly Yankowski (Turners Falls, Mass.) had eight kills, 22 assists, and one block and Sarah Apold (Oakdale, Minn.) finished with 11 kills and one block.

Nicole Hersey (Milton, N.H.) had 23 kills and Kori Chase (East Providence, R.I.) with 20 kills led the Raiders' offense.  Lindsay Marshall (Tiverton, R.I.) finished with 31 digs.

Keene State will host Clark University and Westfield State in a tri-match on Saturday (12 p.m.).

Rivier is off until Wednesday when it travels to Suffolk University (7 p.m.).