SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, TX) smashed  a combined 40 kills over two matches to lead the Franklin Pierce University volleyball team to a convincing 3-0 win over Nyack, and a close 3-2 win over Wilmington on day two of the AIC Yellow Jacket Invitational hosted by American International College.

Against Nyack, the Ravens took a close first set 25-23, before easily taking sets two and three 25-15 and 25-17. Garcia led the team with 17 kills, with senior Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) chipping in 10 kills of her own. Junior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) (17), sophomore Kelsey Hausman (Sandy, Utah) (13), and freshman Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) (11) all contributed with double-digit digs. Runge also dished out 34 assists, giving her a double-double.

Nyack had a tough time scoring and getting a rhythm, as they recorded 35 total errors on the game. Alli Beezer lead the way with 8 kills, while Jilian Smith tossed around 12 assists. Both Lindsay Miller and Alexus Winers recorded double-digit digs.

In the second match, the Ravens had a little more of a tough time grabbing the W. Franklin Pierce was able to pounce and grab the first set 26-24 and the second set 25-20. Wilmington made a push late, winning the third and fourth sets 25-18 and 25-19. However, the Ravens were able to pull through and take the match with a 15-9 win in the fifth set.

Garcia shined once again, this time slamming home 23 kills, while Swiderski chipped in 18, and freshman Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) added 13. Runge stepped up and tossed out a new career-high 50 assists, while adding 18 digs to record her second double-double of the day. Swiderski also added 20 digs in a double-double effort, while MacHugh (34), Hausman (20), and junior Catherine Purdy (Ossining, N.Y.) (13) all added double-digit digs.

Allison Briley led Wilmington with 16 kills, while Erin Bistany and Alex Siolis recorded 13 kills apiece. Siolis and Kasey Couch each had 26 assists, while five different players scooped up double-digit digs.

The Ravens next match will be their home opener in Rindge, as they take on Bentley on Friday, September 26 at 7 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).