PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Mount Holyoke College volleyball team took part in the NEWMAC/Little East Challenge on Saturday, hosted by Plymouth State University. The Lyons fell to the host Panthers by a 3-0 margin and later dropped a 3-0 decision to Keene State College. MHC is now 2-19 overall.

In the opener against Plymouth State, the Lyons fell by a 25-16, 25-22, 25-11 margin in the contest. Senior Kaleen Iwema and junior Emma Sweeting each recorded seven kills for MHC, with both adding eight and seven digs, respectively. Senior Stephany Yang boasted a team-high nine digs with six assists, while sophomore Natalie Lyon added a team-best seven assists and six digs. First year Katrina Meserve chipped in with two block solos.

For Plymouth, the Panthers were led by a match-high 13 kills from Jana Nieman. Brenna Peruch added a match-best 19 digs, while Kirsten Perrotta had 18 assists on the day. Seven different players also recorded a block assist on the day for PSU.

The evening match saw the Lyons suffer a 25-19, 25-7, 25-18 loss to the Owls. Sweeting and senior Rebecca Bland each notched six kills in the match, while Meserve added five kills and Iwema had four. Lyon chipped in with nine digs and nine assists and Yang added 10 assists and six digs.

Keene State was paced by a nine-kill effort from Angela Silveri. Rachel Lamica and Katie Cunningham each recorded five kills, while three other chipped in with three kills. Brooke Bell added 13 assists, while Alexis Michal had 11 assists.

Mount Holyoke returns to action on Thursday when it hosts Elms College at 6pm in the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium.