Volleyball Starts Road Trip with Tri-Match at Eastern Conn State with Plymouth State

SUFFOLK vs. PLYMOUTH STATE
Date Time Venue Live Video Live Stats Series Last Meeting   Last Suffolk Win Streak	Saturday, Oct. 21 2:00 PM Geissler Gymnasium Williamnatic, Conn. LittleEastTv.com GoWarriorsAthletics.com 0-6 Oct. 13, 2016, L, 3-0 Never L6

SUFFOLK at EASTERN CONN STATE
Date Time Venue Live Video Live Stats Series Last Meeting   Last Suffolk Win Streak	Saturday, Oct. 21 4:00 PM Geisller Gymnasium Williamnatic, Conn. LittleEastTv.com GoWarriorsAthletics.com 0-2 Sept. 5, 2014, L, 3-0 Never L2

BOSTON – Suffolk volleyball begins a five-match road swing Saturday, Oct. 21 in Willimantic, Connecticut with a tri-match at Eastern Connecticut State featuring Plymouth State. The Rams will first take on the Panthers at 2 p.m., before facing the Warriors at 4 p.m.

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

LAST TIME OUT
For the second time in program history Suffolk volleyball defeated Roger Williams as the Rams swept the Hawks Wednesday night at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court. The conference triumph came via set scores 25-19, 25-13 and 25-18.   

MORE READING: Volleyball Takes Down Roger Williams in Straight Sets 

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk has coupled back-to-back sweeps together to bring a 14-8 overall mark to Connecticut.  

McKenna Keowen is a provider on both sides of the ball with a team-best 2.76 kps and 3.26 dps, good for second on the squad. Jessica Weber adds 2.51 kps to the Rams' offense that is set up by Jayla Martinez (5.06 aps) and Aislinn Lanigan (3.74 aps). Morgan Kelsey supplies 0.73 aces per set to the offense and leads the defense with 4.15 dps. 

PANTHERS PLAUDITS
Plymouth State has compiled a 16-2 overall record this year with its two setbacks coming to Bridgewater (Va.) and Virginia Wesleyan via scores 3-1 and 3-0, respectively, back on Sept. 2. Since then, the Panthers have won 14 straight.  

The pair of Nora Ryan (2.48 kps) and Lilli Stogner (2.37 kps) pace PSU's 11.33 kps attack that is set up by both Riley McDonough (4.88 aps) and Kalista Butler (4.45 aps). 

Makayla Marucci's 4.34 dps anchors the back line, while Ryan's 1.00 bps leads the way at the net.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Since 1996, Suffolk is 0-6 versus Plymouth State all-time. 
• Every match between Suffolk and PSU has been decided in straight sets. 
• The Rams and Panthers will meet for the first time since Oct. 13, 2016. 
• One match was played in Boston (0-1). Two outings have taken place in Plymouth, New Hampshire (0-2), while the remaining three were on neutral hardwoods (0-3).  

EYES ON THE MATCH

WARRIORS WAYS
Eastern Conn. State has fallen in back-to-back matches a 3-1 setback at Dean and a 3-0 loss to Western Conn State to bring a 10-9 overall record into Saturday.  

Brooke Praskievicz and Taylor Thompson lead the Warriors offense with 2.30 kps and 2.15 kps, respectively. Liz Squier (5.45 aps) and Samantha Blandford (3.36 aps) set up the teams' 11.14 kps attack. 

Defensively, Cassie Parmelee's 3.47 dps paces the pack. Praskievicz chips in 3.19 dps and Haley Jo Bridges is a threat at the net with 0.52 bps.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk is 0-2 all-time against Eastern Conn. State. 
• Both matches between Suffolk and Eastern Conn. State were decided in sweeps.
• The Rams and Warriors have only met at neutral sites. 
• The Rams and Warriors will meet for the first time since Sept. 5, 2014. 

EYES ON THE MATCH

SUFFOLK'S SCHEDULE
The Rams stay on the road to visit Hartford Thursday, Oct. 26 for a 7 p.m. tilt.