RINDGE, N.H. (September 26, 2014) – The Franklin Pierce volleyball team returned to the friendly confines of the Fieldhouse on Friday night, as they played their first official home game of the season in front of an electric crowd. The Ravens used that energy to defeat the Bentley University Falcons by a final score of 3-0 in commanding fashion.

It was the amped up trio of freshman Madison Klusendorf (Santa Maria, Calif.), sophomore Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, TX), and senior Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) that brought the thunder with a combined 33 kills between them to aid the Ravens victory. Freshman Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) also had a strong offensive night with seven kills, while classmate Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) had a solid night with 33 assists.

The Ravens also backed up a slow net game where they only recorded one block all game, with a strong defensive back court as Klusendorf (11) and junior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) (12) recorded double-figure digs.

Bentley came into the match as the preseason favorite to finish second in conference play, but have struggled up to this point with a record that currently stands at 6-7.

The Ravens came out of the gate strong and never let up. Control of the game was key for the Ravens throughout, as they took a commanding first set win 25-19. In the second and third sets, Franklin Pierce showed some youth with small lapses at times, but was able to recover quickly and keep control winning 25-20 and 25-21.

Tatiana Froehlich and Ashley Latimer led Bentley with six kills apiece, while Simone Silvera chipped in with five. Jessica Segal scooped up 23 assists, while defensively, 11 different Falcons recorded a dig with Shannon Kelly leading the team in that category with 10.

The Ravens record now stands at 6-6 (1-1 Northeast-10), and return to the court on Tuesday, September 30 when they play host to Saint Michael's in the Fieldhouse.

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).