Miller notches 13 digs, Ravens serve up seven aces

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. (September 6, 2013) – Sophomore outside hitter Sydni Schulz (Cypress, Texas) and junior outside hitter Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) rang up 10 kills each on Friday evening as the Franklin Pierce University volleyball team opened the 2013 campaign with a 3-0 triumph over Holy Family in non-conference play on the first day of the Marauder Clash, hosted by Millersville. The Ravens swept through the contest with set scores of 25-18, 25-14 and 25-23.

With the win, Franklin Pierce opens the season at 1-0 (0-0 Northeast-10), while Holy Family falls to 0-1 (0-0 Central Atlantic). The Ravens trailed in the third set, 10-3, before ultimately rallying for the victory.

Schulz and Swiderski led the attack for Franklin Pierce, as both reached double digits in kills over 16 and 18 attempts, respectively. Schulz committed just two errors, while Swiderski recorded only one, as both hit .500 for the evening. Senior outside hitter Natasha Ray (Colorado Springs, Colo.) got 21 swings as well, and chalked up nine more kills while hitting .238. Schulz added three aces in the match, as part of Franklin Pierce's seven-ace service attack against the Tigers.

The trio worked off the set of freshman Kelsey Hausman (Sandy, Utah), who was pressed into her first collegiate start unexpectedly, after senior Stephanie Svorinic (Scottsdale, Ariz.) was injured in a morning practice. Senior right side Ashley Bruce (Hampton Falls, N.H.) collected five kills over nine attempts to round out the team's significant offensive contributions.

Defensively, senior libero Lauren Miller (Alexandria, Ind.) led the way with 13 digs. As a team, the Ravens came up with six blocks at the net, with Bruce chipping in a block solo.

Full statistics from the match are unavailable at this time.

The Ravens wrap up play at the Marauder Clash with a pair of matches tomorrow. Franklin Pierce will square off with Chestnut Hill at 11 a.m., before taking on host Millersville at 3 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce volleyball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).