KEENE, N.H. 10/18/12 – The Keene State College women's volleyball team dropped a 3-1 Little East Conference match to UMass-Boston at Spaulding Gym on Thursday night.

The Owls (14-12, 3-2 LEC) made things interesting before falling to the three-time LEC Champion Beacons (15-7, 6-0 LEC), who came into the match ranked fourth in New England and sitting in first place in the conference standings.

Keene State came out strong, winning the first game 25-20.  The Owls took a 17-10 lead on a block by freshman Madeline Nossif (Portsmouth, N.H.) and held on for the victory.

The Owls kept things close in the second game, getting to within one point 10-9 on a kill by freshman Angela Silveri (Poughquag, N.Y.) The Beacons eventually pulled away , winning 25-17. 

KSC also stayed with UMB in the third game.  It was 21-17 before the Beacons went on to win 25-19.

UMass-Boston wore down the young Owls, taking the final game 25-10. 

"We played two and a half sets of good volleyball," said KSC Coach Bob Weiner.  "Beacon Coach Terry Condon said it the best as we were shaking hands after the game; she said great young team – and they are.  They needed to see it and learn it.  If that's the best in New England we can do that."    

Playing without sophomore Sammy Dormio (Leesburg, Va.), KSC   struggled defensively in the final two games. "She was tough to replace," said Weiner.

Freshman Kaylee Deluga (Dennis, Mass.) and Silveri led the Owls' offense with nine kills each.  "It's a challenge to hit against their blockers," said Silveri.  "This was such a great experience playing a tough team like UMass-Boston, but we kept up with them.  It taught us not to give up." 

Freshman Kaitlin Boyer (West Greenwich, R.I.) was busy on the back row, finishing with 19 digs.  "It was difficult because you feel a bunch of bullets are coming at you at once, but it was so fun diving everywhere," said Boyer.  "Coming out strong against this team was huge for us.  I think we're finally putting it together." 

Freshman setters Haley Willumsen (Shelter Island, N.Y.) and Alexis Michal (Windham, N.H.) finished the match with 14 and 13 assists respectively.

Senior Shannon Thompson had 24 kills junior Corrine Porter finished with 10 kills and 10 digs to lead the Beacons.  Freshman setter Emma Rocha had 25 assists.

Keene State hosts UMass-Dartmouth and the University of New England in a tri-match on Saturday.  The Owls need one more LEC win to secure third place in the conference.