PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State women's volleyball team played a close third set with the Panthers but ultimately fell 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-19) after Plymouth scored three straight points to take the third set and win the match.

Sophomore outside hitter Liya Girma (Sachse, Texas / Bishop Lynch) led the Cardinal attack with eight kills while sophomore right-side hitter Iris Mulvey (Middle Island, N.Y. / Longwood) led the Cardinals in total points with eight and a half. Junior defensive specialist Bridget Ryan (Mattituck, N.Y. / Mattituck) was strong on the back line for the Cardinals coming away with nine digs to lead the team. Junior setter Kyleigh Ganz (Phoenix, Ariz. / Seton Catholic Prep) played a key role in the attacking game finishing the night with 18 assists.

For Plymouth, Nora Ryan led the team in kills with five while Lilli Stogner led the team in total points with seven and a half. Makayla Marucci led the team in digs with nine while Riley McDonough posted nine assists.

The Panthers hit .192% (27-13-73) and held a 12-6 advantage in service aces over the Cardinals. The Panthers registered 43 digs to the Cardinals' 29 and had a 6-2 edge in blocks.

Plattsburgh moves to 0-1 overall and hosts Potsdam (12 p.m.) and Saint Michael's (4 p.m.) tomorrow to close out the Cardinal Classic. Plymouth moves to 1-0 overall and next travels to Saint Michael's on Sep. 7 for a match at 12 p.m.  

After falling behind 2-0 in the first set, the Cardinals got on the board off a McDonough service error. A Ganz service error started a 6-0 run for the Panthers as they took an 8-2 lead capped off with two service aces from Stogner. Two straight points from the Cardinals made it 16-12 Panthers but the Panthers responded with four straight as they added to their lead and made the score 20-12. After block assists from Ryan and Ryley McNeely put the Panthers at 24 sophomore right-side hitter Darby Collyear (Rockwall, Texas) responded with a kill scoring the Cardinals' last point before a kill from Ryan sealed a 25-15 win in the first set.

The Cardinals struck first in the second set scoring back-to-back points. The Panthers responded with three of their own led by Stogner with two service aces that made the score 3-2 Panthers. The Cardinals jumped back on top matching the Panthers' 3-0 run and made the score 5-3 Cardinals. After both teams exchanged points, a 6-0 run from the Panthers made the score 11-6 Panthers. Collyear broke up the run with a kill off the set from Ganz but another 6-0 run from the Panthers added to their lead and made the score 18-7 as the Panthers pulled away and took the second set 25-13.

After both teams exchanged points to open the third set, kills from junior outside hitter Maggie Lyon (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa) and Collyear put the Cardinals up 4-1. A kill from Danielle Emerson tied the score at 5 followed by three straight points from the Cardinals that made the score 8-5 Cardinals. A 4-0 run from the Panthers tied the game at 15 but the Cardinals responded with back-to-back points and regained the lead 17-15. The Panthers gained momentum after a 5-0 run gave them a 20-17 lead and ultimately took the third set 25-19.