NEW LONDON, N.H. - November 15, 2008 - The No. 3 seeded Plymouth State Panthers won the 2008 ECAC Division III New England Volleyball Championship by defeating top seeded Colby-Sawyer, 19-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19. Panthers senior Sarah Spears (Meredith, N.H.) was named the Most Outstanding Player by registering a total of 44 digs in two matches.

The Chargers came away with the first set as senior Kristen Romanko (Mansfield, Mass.) hit a remarkable .714 while collecting five kills. Chargers' setter Genny Moore (Centerville, Mass.) played well, registering two kills, two service aces and nine assists.

Plymouth State jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in the second set. The Chargers cut the early lead down to 9-8, but the Panthers pulled away as Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I.) collected three kills giving her nine through two sets. Spears played exceptionally well on defense as she collected eight digs in the set.

Once again the Panthers jumped on top of the Chargers in the third set. Plymouth State junior Kathy Frankowski (Farmington, Conn.) served eight consecutive points and collected six service aces in the set. Badeau continued her offensive outburst as she recorded six more kills. Chargers sophomore Michelle Doody (Franklin, Mass.) tallied two kills and three digs in the set.

The Panthers pounced again gaining an early fourth set lead. The Chargers made things interesting by closing the Panthers lead to one at 19-18, but Plymouth State's offensive attack proved to be too much. Badeau raised her match-high total to 21 kills on an outstanding .415 attacking percentage. Spears defense made it difficult for the Chargers to mount a comeback as she tallied a match-high 29 digs.

The Chargers were led by Doody, who finished the match with a team-high 13 kills and Romanko who tallied seven kills. Moore had a solid match collecting 31 assists, seven digs, four kills and three service aces.

Plymouth State finishing their 2008 season with a 22-14 record as Colby-Sawyer finished the season with a 24-13 record.

(Courtesy of Colby-Sawyer Sports Information)

2008 ECAC Division III New England Volleyball Championship

First Round - Wednesday, November 12

No. 1 Colby-Sawyer (23-12), first round bye
No. 7 Worcester State 1 at No. 2 Johnson & Wales 3 (25-19,25-10,22-25,25-16)
No. 6 Norwich University 0 at No. 3 Plymouth State 3 (25-15,25-17,25-19)  Game Story
No. 5 Babson 0 vs. No. 4 University of New England 3 (27-25,25-18,25-15)  Game Story

 
Semifinals & Championship - Saturday, November 15 at Colby-Sawyer College

No. 1 Colby-Sawyer 3 vs. No. 4 University of New England 0 (25-18, 25-16, 26-24) Box Score
No. 2 Johnson & Wales 1 vs. No. 3 Plymouth State 3 (28-26, 25-20, 24-26, 25-21)
No. 1 Colby-Sawyer 1 vs. No. 3 Plymouth State 3 (19-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19)  Game Story

Complete Bracket