PROVIDENCE, R.I.  9/10/10 – The Keene State College dropped a pair of close matches at the Johnson & Wales Invitational on Friday night.

The Owls lost their opening match to Bridgewater State 3-2 (24-26, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, and 7-15), Juniors Kristen Girard (Red Hook, N.Y.)  and Ellyse Davis (Londonderry, N.H.) led the offense with 13 and 11 kills respectively.  Senior Jamie Levine (Medfield, Mass.) finished with 26 digs.

In its second match, KSC fell to Conn. College 3-2 (25-23, 25-17, 16-25, 10-25, and 5-15).  Girard had 19 kills and 21 digs to lead the Owls.  Levine added 23 digs and sophomore Ali Facchini (Niantic, Conn.) chipped with 11kils.

The Invitational continues on Saturday with Keene State (3-4) facing Wheaton College at 12 p.m. and Johnson & Wales at 2 p.m.