SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 13, 2015) – The Franklin Pierce University Ravens volleyball team combined for nine blocks, but could not seem to stop the constant offensive attack from the American International College Yellow Jackets, as four eclipsed double-digit kills as the Yellow Jackets defeated the Ravens 3-1 at Butova Gymnasium.

With the win, American International improves to 8-8 overall (2-3 Northeast-10) on the season. With the loss, Franklin Pierce drops to 9-6 overall (3-1 Northeast-10) while they drop their first conference game of the season.

In the first set, the Ravens trailed off the bat, averaging a five point deficit through the whole set. They would get within two points before the lead would separate again, as AIC found life in Annie Boele. Boele went six for six on attacks in the set, leading the team in the set with that total. However, freshman Katie Leidhold (Acushnet, Mass.) did her best to keep pace, slamming home five kills of her own during the set.

Set two played a little closer during the duration, as both teams went back-and-forth with points during the set. However, the Yellow Jackets remained ahead throughout the whole set jumping to the lead early on. Franklin Pierce put AIC on their heels, putting the score to 23-22 late in the set. But the Yellow Jackets were to not be denied, as the two teams traded kills to push the score 24-23. Boele would put a ribbon on the set for American International, putting home a kill to win the set for the Yellow Jackets, pushing the match to 2-0.

The Ravens put forth a valiant effort in set three, as play turned into a marathon where Franklin Pierce would prevail. The play was even throughout, but tides turned as the Ravens held control of the score for a majority of the set. AIC would not be denied, as the two teams played to a 25-25 tie to push things a tad longer. Both teams had an opportunity to close the door, but could not until the Ravens used a Yellow Jacket error and kill by sophomore Madison Klusendorf (Santa Maria, Calif.) to grab the set, pushing the match to 2-1

The fourth set of the match brought plenty of theatrics, as it looked AIC found their groove to close things out, jumping out to an 11-0 lead to start the set, even jumping out to an 21-8 lead late. However, the Ravens gained ground on multiple Yellow Jacket errors and kills sprinkled in, going on a 15-3 run to pull the set 24-23. But the comeback only became a tease, as Boele once again shut the door by ending the set and match with a kill, giving American International the 3-1 win.

Leidhold ended her night with 13 total kills, leading the Ravens in that department, while junior Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, Texas) was the only other player in crimson and grey in double-figure kills. The Ravens showed significant defensive numbers not just with blocks, with five players in double-figure digs led by senior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) with 22. Freshman Abigail Sonuga (Haverhill, Mass.) led with her hand in five of the nine blocks, while the offense flowed through sophomore Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) with 36 assists.

Boele paced the Yellow Jackets with 16 kills and 16 digs, notching a double-double, while three others found their way into double-digit kills. Mercy Rivera led all players on the court with 26 digs, while Roxana Wegner made the AIC offense with 51 assists.

The Ravens return to play on Thursday, October 15 when they travel to Stonehill, with gametime set for 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).