AUSTIN, Texas (September 4, 2015) – Freshman Abigail Sonuga (Haverhill, Mass.) and Katie Leidhold (Acushnet, Mass.) each shined through in their collegiate debuts, as the Franklin Pierce University Ravens volleyball team split their season opener matches in the Hilltopper Classic hosted by St. Edwards University.

The Ravens opened up their day with a 3-1 win over Southern Nazerene University, with Sonuga standing out in the contest. She led the team in kills with 12 kills and a hitting percentage of .258 which was second among all Ravens.

Franklin Pierce didn't start great, dropping the first set 25-21, putting themselves in an early hole. The second and third sets brought better results for the Ravens, as they were able to take a 2-1 lead going into set four. Sonuga and junior Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, Texas) each collected six kills through the two winning sets.

Set four then brought some fireworks for both squads, as Franklin Pierce and Southern Nazerene played to a 32-30 final, with the Ravens getting the edge to wrap up their victory. However, Franklin Pierce made it count as they trailed a majority of the set, getting down 13-7 at one point before Head Coach Stephanie Dragan called a timeout.

That timeout turned things around for the Ravens, as they charged back to a 16-16 tie. The score would flip flop until the score hit final, as Franklin Pierce closed it out with a kill by sophomore Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) and with some help by two Southern Nazerene attack errors.

Senior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) was strong defensively, leading the team with 24 digs, followed in that department by Leidhold with 18, who completed her first career double-double with 11 kills as well. Freshman Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) also notched her first double-double of the season with 38 assists and 14 digs. Garcia also stood out with 10 kills and led the team with a .286 attack percentage.

McKenna Qualls would lead the way for Southern Nazerene, as she smashed home 19 kills, leading all players on the court for the match.

In match two, the Ravens fell to Missouri S&T 3-1 to wrap up their day. This time, it would be Leidhold who would lead the way with yet another double-double with 10 kills, the only Raven in double digit kills, and 11 digs. However, the Ravens would struggle in two of the four sets, failing to top 15 points.

MacHugh would do her part defensively again, with 33 digs, while Runge put together her second double-double of the day as well with 27 assists and 11 digs.

For Missouri S&T, Krista Haslag put together a spectacular offensive performance with 14 kills, while Jackie Pyles and Cyndey Denning collected 19 and 17 digs, respectively. Setter Alexis White dished out 38 assists on the match, leading all players on the court in that category.

The Ravens will continue their road trip in the Lonestar state tomorrow in day two of the Hilltopper Classic, where they will face off against Southwestern Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. ET and host St. Edwards University at 5 p.m. ET.

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).