KEENE, N.H. 10/28/08 - The Keene State women's volleyball team defeated Colby-Sawyer College 3-1 in a battle of regional ranked teams on Senior Night at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday.

 The Owls (23-8), ranked 12th in New England, extended their wining streak to six matches with the victory.  The seventh ranked Chargers fall to 20-11.  CSC had won the last five matches between the two instate teams.

It was an emotional night for Owl seniors Brittany O'Bryant (Merrimack, N.H.), Sarah Peterson (Danville, Conn.), and Chia Rowe (Exeter, N.H.).  

"It was senior night, so we were really excited and wanted to win," said O'Bryant. "It was awesome playing on such a talented team the past four years.  I'm definitely going to miss it."

"I'll miss everything, but especially the players," said Rowe. I'm going to stay friends with these girls for a long time."

"I'm going to remember being a member of such a great team with such a great group of girls every year," said Peterson.  "We still have a little bit more work to do. This match showed we're still going strong and ready to play in the Little East Tournament."  

"My team loved these kids. They all know that these three players helped establish the program at Keene State," said Coach Bob Weiner. "They made it happen and it was really exciting to watch them all be successful"

The first two games were cliff hangers with the Owls prevailing 25-23 each time.  Both teams traded points down the stretch.  Freshman outside hitter Kristen Girard (Tivoli, N.Y.) scored the wining point in the first game after flipping the ball over a pair of Charger blockers.  O'Bryant notched the game-wining point in the second game when her kill deflected off a blocker.

After Colby Sawyer came back to win game three 25-17, the Owls won game four handily 25-14.

Girard led a balanced Owl offense with 13 kills and 11 digs.  Sisters Brittany and Bridget O'Bryant had eight kills each. Brittany also chipped in with four blocks.  Junior setter Jordan Pokryfki (Wasilla, Alaska) added 37 assists and two service aces.

Sophomore Michelle Doody (Franklin Mass.) and junior Meg White (Monroe, Conn.) had 11 and 10 kills respectively to lead the Charger's offense.  Senior Taylor Forsberg (Moultonborough, N.H.) contributed 11 digs and sophomore setter Me Joseph (Newton, Mass.) finished with 29 assists.

 Keene State is at the Bridgewater State Halloween Tournament this weekend.  Colby-Sawyer is a t Regis College on Saturday.