Volleyball sweeps AIC 3-0, remains undefeated at home

RINDGE, N.H. (October 21, 2014) - Senior Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) notched 14 kills with a hitting percentage of.344 and 14 digs as the Franklin Pierce University Ravens downed the American International Yellow Jackets by a final score of 3-0 to remain undefeated at home this season.

Swiderski passed Caitlynn Parnell (2006-09) for fourth all-time in program history with the 14 kill night. She was also recognized after the first set for her 1,000 kill achievement she surpassed over the weekend at Assumption. Currently, she stands at 1,029 career kills and counting.

The Ravens came out firing on all cylinders off the bat, owning control of the gameplay. The score of the first set would be 25-11, the Ravens most commanding set win of the season. Once the second set commenced, it would be a close match throughout. The Yellow Jackets put up fight after fight, clawing their way close to the Ravens, even leading at some points. The Ravens wouldn't be denied, as they took the second set 25-22, and the third set 28-26 in a barnburner to the end.

Freshman Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) and Madison Klusendorf (Santa Maria, Calif.) both ended with nine kills apiece in the match, each ending with a hitting percentage just under .300. St. Jean also chipped in by having a hand in four of the Ravens five blocks on the night. Freshman setter Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) passed out 37 assists on the match.

Defensively, three Ravens finished with double-figure digs, led by Swiderski (14), followed by juniors Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) and Catherine Purdy (Ossining, N.Y.) who each pitched in with 11 apiece.

For American International, freshman Annie Boele had herself a night, as she finished with a double-double similar of Swiderski with 14 kills and 17 digs. Junior Bailey Swan also smashed home 14 kills, while junior libero Franny Sanchez scooped up 14 digs. Freshman Cherry Baylon also recorded a double-double, with 15 assists and 10 digs on the match.

The Ravens improve to 13-8 (6-3 Northeast-10), and will take the court next on Friday, October 24 when they take on Adelphi 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).