The 2007 UMass Boston women’s volleyball team played its first and final match on Tuesday October 30. The Beacons lost in the first round of the Little East Tournament to the number three seeded Plymouth State University. The sixth seeded Beacons did not go down easily, battling point-for-point in the third game. The score was knotted up at 29 before the Panthers scored two consecutive points to pull out the victory. The match was held in the Foley Gymnasium at Plymouth State, and ended in straight sets in favor of the PSU Panthers. Sophomore outside hitter Kate White led the Beacons with 12 kills, two digs, and three blocks. Senior Denise Hill had seven kills and an ace, while Sophomore Natalie Crist had eight kills, and 2 blocks. Senior setter Randle Stock had an all-around good game adding a game high 30 assists to go along with two aces and nine digs. Freshman defensive specialist Emily Thompson led the team with 16 digs. Thompson earned her second Defensive Player of the Week award and third award overall in the Little East Conference last week. The Plymouth State Panthers now advance to the semi-final round in the Little East Tournament to play second seeded Western Connecticut (18-11). The winner of that match will either face top-seed Keene State (24-11) or fifth seed Eastern Connecticut (9-26). Although the Beacons lost in the opening round of the tournament, the team has a lot to look forward to next season. “UMass Boston has a very dangerous young team,” Plymouth State head coach Moira Long said. “They had a game plan to serve tough, and change speeds to keep [us] off balance. They played a very good game.”\UMass Boston finishes the 2007 season with a record of 15-14. Even though the Lady Beacons made a first round exit in the LEC Tournament this year, only two of the 12 girls on the roster will be gone next year. With defensive juggernaut Emily Thompson and offensive star Kate White returning in 2008, this team had a lot to look forward to.