STANDISH, Maine – Plymouth State University (15-1) edged Saint Joseph's College (3-12), 3-2 (24-26, 25-15, 25-20, 18-25, 15-5), in a non-conference volleyball match at the Harold Alfond Center on Tuesday evening. With the win, the Panthers extend their winning streak to six games. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

After winning a thrilling first set, the Monks faced a 2-1 deficit going into the fourth frame and responded with a decisive 25-18 victory, forcing a winner-take-all fifth set in the process. The fifth frame started with a service ace from Olivia Kent (Ellington, Conn.), but the Panthers responded with five unanswered points – three off SJC attack errors – to secure a 5-1 lead and claim momentum. 

Kelsey Bickford (Somersworth, N.H.) stopped the Plymouth State run with a kill to make it a 5-2 score, but St. Joe's committed three attack miscues, allowing the visitors to secure a 9-2 lead and forcing Head Coach Jon Roberts to call a timeout.  

The Monks looked to battle back from the deficit as Bickford produced another kill and sophomore Sarah Quinn (Dover, N.H.) threw down a block to make it a 10-4 game, but the Panthers answered with five of the following six points to earn the five-set triumph. 

LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S: 

• Bickford led the Monks with 12 kills on 34 attempts for a .294 attack percentage with three digs and three block solos 
• Kent netted 11 kills and a pair of service aces 
• Freshman Hanna Holden (Stoughton, Mass.) tallied 30 assists, two aces, and 11 digs 
• Junior Madison Provencher (Rochester, N.H.) added 11 digs and a pair of aces 
• Quinn and junior Erin Olson (Stoughton, Mass.) chipped in with six kills and three block solos apiece 

LEADERS – PLYMOUTH STATE: 

• Junior Francie Shaffer (Frederick, Colo.) produced 12 kills on 27 attempts 
• Junior Carabeth Norklun (Goffstown, N.H.) registered 11 kills on 19 attempts for a .474 attack percentage 
• Sophomore Alexa Price (Moultonborough, N.H.) notched 42 assists, 15 digs, four aces, and three kills 
• Freshman Emilee Flanagan (Milton, N.H.) delivered eight kills, three block solos, and two aces 
• Senior Alisha Flanagan (Milton, N.H.) contributed 20 digs 

NEXT! 

Saint Joseph's is off until Saturday, October 5th when the Monks host Anna Maria College (11:00 AM) and Norwich University (3:00 PM) in a GNAC tri-match.

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