PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Top-seeded Plymouth State University and second-seeded Keene State College will renew their rivalry in the 2022 Little East Conference Women’s Volleyball Championship Tournament Final after winning their respective semifinal matches Thursday. The Panthers will host the Owls Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
No. 1 Plymouth State 3, No. 5 Eastern Connecticut 0
 
Junior Nora Ryan smashed 12 kills and added five blocks to lift Plymouth State to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 28-26) win over fifth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University. Senior Emilee Flanagan posted seven kills without an error (.583 attack pct.). Sophomore Makayla Marucci was all over the back court with a match-high 20 digs.
 
Anna Barry led all players with 15 kills while hitting .364 for the Warriors, while Bella Johnson hit .348 while putting down 13 kills. Meg Verizzi handed out 31 assists to go with nine digs, while Paula Perez led the team with 16 digs for the evening.
 
No. 2 Keene State 3, No. 6 UMass Boston 1
 
Keene State took a 1-0 advantage following a 25-20 decision in the opening set, which UMass Boston answered with a 25-21 victory in the second. The Owls responded with a 25-14 win in the third and a clinched the victory with a 25-19 decision in the fourth.
 
Cassidy Samuelson had a match-high 13 kills while hitting .306 for the Owls, followed by Sydney Johnson and Veronica Kroha with eight kills each. Kacie Blanchet posted a double-double with team leading totals of 38 assists and 13 digs
 
Livia Trindade led the Beacons with 11 kills, while a trio of UMass Boston players - Taryn Broughal, McKayla Geraghty and Dylan Wertzberger - registered eight kills each. Amelia Devlin posted six kills on 12 attempts while putting up 32 assists.
 
Tournament Notes
 
Both teams are looking to end long title droughts. Plymouth State won its lone LEC tournament title in 2004, a feat Keene State accomplished in 2008. The Panthers are 1-6 all-time in the tournament final, which they last appeared in 2019 when they fell to UMass Boston. Similarly, the Owls are 1-7 all-time in the LEC title match, last appearing in 2018 when they fell to Eastern Connecticut.