KEENE, N.H.  10/20/11 - The Keene State College women's volleyball team posted a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Emerson College in a non-conference match at Spaulding Gym on Thursday night.

Winners of four out of its five last matches, Keene State improves to 13-10.  Emerson (18-6) saw its three match winning streak come to an end. 

The Owls fell behind early and were never able to get back on track, losing the opening game 25-22. 

The second game was a see-saw affair with Keene State holding off the Lions 25-23.  A kill by senior Bridget O'Bryant (Merrimack, N.H.) put the Owls' up 24-22.  Freshman Kat Rice (Delmar, N.Y.) answered with a kill for Emerson to make it 24-23.  KSC won the game 25-23 on an attack error by the Lions.

Keene State ran off six straight points to go up 17-6 and coasted to a 25-11 win in the third game.  In the fourth game, a service ace by Bryant gave KSC a 21-12 lead as it went on to win 25-17. 

"I think we underestimated them a little bit, but we were able to figure things out in the later games," said senior Kristen Girard (Red Hook, N.Y.) who finished with 12 kills, two service aces and 11 digs.

The return of senior setter Laurie Whalen (Niantic, Conn.) in the second game turned around the Owls' offense.  "It's a comfort thing. I just went in there and did the best I could, "said Whalen, who returned from an injury and had 34 assists. 

"Laurie is our quarterback and when she went down our offense was different,' said KSC Coach Bob Weiner.  It's late October and this team is used to a certain setter, so her return was a huge factor in winning the match."

Bryant had another strong performance, finishing with a game high 17 kills with a .500 hitting percentage to go with two service aces, nine digs and two blocks.  Senior Ellyse Davis (Londonderry, N.H.) had 10 kills and three blocks while junior Alex Lehocky (Edgewood, N.M.) added nine kills and a team high four blocks.

Junior Kelsey Scanlon led the Lions with 14 kills and nine digs while Rice finished with nine kills.  Senior setter Kathleen Bailey (Calabasas, Ca.) also had 38 assists.

Keene State travels to North Dartmouth on Saturday for a tri-match with UMass-Dartmouth and Clark University.  Emerson returns home for Saturday matches against Lasell College and Albertus Magnus.