OWLS SURGE PAST SAINTS, 3-0

BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Sammy Dormio (Leesburg, Va.) and freshman Angela Silveri (Poughquag, N.Y.) combined for 19 kills to lead Keene State College past Emmanuel College, 3-0, in non-conference women's volleyball action played in the Jean Yawkey Center on Thursday night.   The Owls improve to 3-5 on the season with the win, while the Saints drop to 3-7 overall with the loss.  The victory for Keene State marks the seventh consecutive time the Owls have defeated the Saints in straight-sets.

Emmanuel held tough over the three sets, but ultimately dropped the match with set scores of 25-19, 25-21, 25-21.

A young Keene State squad started all freshmen and sophomores.  The Owls' dominating offense hit for .235 with 40 kills in 98 total attacks. Dormio hit at a clip of .533 with her 9 kills coming off of 15 swings with just 1 error.  Silveri hit .292 with 10 kills in 24 attacks.  Rookie middle hitter Olivia Broderick (Gilford, N.H.) slammed down 7 kills in 16 swings, while classmate Kayee Deluga (Barnstable, Mass.) chipped in with 6 kills for the young Owls.

Keene State setters Haley Willumsen (Shelter Island, N.Y.) and Alexis Michal (Windham, N.H.) combined for 29 assists in the win.

The host Saints were led by 6 kills from senior captain Moriah Logan (Halifax, Mass.) and 5 kills from freshman hitter Brittany Tutalo (Johnston, R.I.).  Sophomore setter Alison Donnelly (Longmeadow, Mass.) dished out 16 assists, while freshman Shannon Dudley (Arroyo Grande, Calif.) added 8 helpers on the night.  Defensively, the Saints were led by Yun-Ting Lee's (Keelung, Taiwan) match-high 14 digs, while sophomore Christine Durkee (Salem, Conn.) chipped in with 9 digs and 3 service aces.

Emmanuel will return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Waltham, Mass. for a non-conference tri-match with Brandeis University and Colby-Sawyer College.  Keene State opens Little East Conference play with a tri-match at Rhode Island College on Saturday at 11:00am.