Volleyball splits for second consecutive day at GCU Lions Invitational

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (September 7, 2014) – Junior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) took control defensively for the Franklin Pierce University volleyball team on Sunday afternoon, recording a total of 33 digs over two matches. However, the Ravens were only able to muster a split by taking a 3-0 match sweep over Roberts Wesleyan, and then proceeded to be swept 3-0 by Caldwell in straight sets.

Franklin Pierce now stands at 2-2 (0-0 Northeast-10) after a brilliant showing in the first match, where the Ravens pulled out a tough 25-20 win in the first set, and never looked back with commanding wins of 25-11 and 25-17 in the following sets. In the second match, things were just the opposite.

Franklin Pierce burst out of the gate against Roberts Wesleyan to start the day, as Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) paced the offense with 12 kills, and a .355 kill percentage. Behind her were sophomore Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, TX) and freshman Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) who each slammed home six kills apiece.

St. Jean was also a force at the net on defense, as she chipped in with three blocks, while MacHugh dug up 12 digs for the match. Sophomore Kelsey Hausman (Sandy, Utah) had another solid match of her own, dishing out 26 assists.

For Roberts Wesleyan, Courtney Taylor led the way offensively with five kills, while three other Red Hawks added four kills apiece. Olivia Zureck worked up team high double-digit dig total of 10, and Maggie Concannon passed off 19 assists. The Red Hawks surrendered up 28 total team errors, which the Ravens were able to capitalize on.

In the second match, the Ravens were the team that lost the errors battle, committing 24 compared to a total of 14 errors for Caldwell. The Ravens scored no more than 18 points per set, while on defense they only recorded two blocks the entire match.

MacHugh became the one shimmering star for Franklin Pierce, as she sported a total 21 digs for the match, a career-high for the Ravens co-captain. Five different Ravens were also able to chip in at least one assist, with the main focus on Hausman who led the way with 18. Garcia led the offense with seven kills as well.

For the Cougars, Erica Harrell was the only player in double digit kills with 11 with a .435 kill percentage. Gabrielle Bennett led the way with 15 assists, while Jaclyn Del Cid notched 17 digs. Both Athena Nestoras and Narae Wadsworth were forces at the net, each chipping in with multiple blocks.

The Ravens next take the court in on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. when they face Bridgeport.

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).