RINDGE, N.H. (October 20, 2015) – The dynamic duo of junior Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, Texas) and freshman Katie Leidhold (Acushnet, Mass.) were back at work on Tuesday evening, as each recorded a game-high 12 kills as the Franklin Pierce University Volleyball team kept up their winning ways at home by defeating the Merrimack College Warriors by a final score of 3-0.

With the win, the Ravens stay undefeated at home and improve their record to 11-6 overall (5-1 Northeast-10). The win also keeps the Ravens in the hunt atop the Northeast-10 Conference standings, putting them in third place. With the loss, the Warriors fall to 8-10 overall (3-4 Northeast-10).

The first set really set the tone of the match, as plenty of back-and-forth volleyball was played, including a number of extra points and rallies to help determine a winner. Merrimack held the lead for a majority of the set, their biggest at five points halfway through at 15-10. Franklin Pierce then began to chip away at the lead, with Leidhold and Garcia picking up numerous kills and sophomore Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) chipping in the offense as well.

The Ravens were able to bring things even at 20-20 before things got interesting. Franklin Pierce and Merrimack traded points all way until a winner of the set was decided, 24 points later as the Ravens were able to outlast the Warriors and take the first set 33-31. With the set tied 31-31, Garcia stepped up with a big kill to bring things to set point before sophomore Madison Klusendorf (Santa Maria, Calif.) put down an ace to win the set.

Set two didn't quite last as long as the first, but ended up just as pressure packed to determine if the Ravens would go up 2-0, or Merrimack even things up at 1-1. Fortunately for the home squad, they played things into their favor, once again surviving the Warriors by a score of 26-24.

Just as the first started, however, the Ravens would trail off the start, with Merrimack once again gaining a five-point lead at 14-9. Then Franklin Pierce would once again pick up their play, with Leidhold finding the floor for multiple kills, as well as freshman Abigail Sonuga (Haverhill, Mass.) who recorded multiple kills as well.

The Ravens finally pulled even in the nick of time at 22-22, and ultimately getting set point at 24-22 with a kill by Sonuga and Merrimack error. The Warriors charged back with two points to tie it back up at 24-24 thanks to a kill by Jennifer Cain and a Franklin Pierce error. Finally, it would be the Ravens with that last word, setting down the Warriors with a Leidhold kill and Warrior error to take the set 26-24.

The third and final set showed no contest, as it seemed the Warriors could not keep up with the Franklin Pierce offensive attack and defensive pressure. The Ravens took the lead early, and kept it there through the whole set. They opened things up at 14-7, but saw the lead shrink with a late surge by Merrimack out of a timeout. However, the Ravens shut the door and took the set 25-16, giving them the 3-0 win.

Playing a backseat role to the offensive numbers from Garcia and Leidhold but showed vital to the Ravens victory was a team total 10 blocks on the night. Responsible for the net presence would be Sonuga and St. Jean, as Sonuga had a hand in seven of the 10 blocks, while St. Jean had a hand in six of the 10. Overall, the Ravens won that battle at the net, as they outscored the Warriors 10-0 in that category.

To pair with their defensive presence, both Sonuga and St. Jean fell behind Garcia and Leidhold in kills, with St. Jean hitting nine and Sonuga with eight. The offense flowed nicely all night with the help of sophomore setter Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.), as she passed around 40 assists on the evening. Leidhold led in digs with 12, giving her a double-double, while Klusendorf and senior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) each dug up 10 digs apiece.

For Merrimack, Christina Nye led with 12 kills, while setter Tara Stuhr passed out 40 assists as well. Defensively, Madison Burke led the way in digs with 16, while Nye notched a double-double with 12 herself.

The Ravens return to the hardwood for the second game of a four game set at home this Friday, October 23 when they play host to Saint Rose at 7 p.m. 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).