RINDGE, N.H. (October 24, 2015) – The Franklin Pierce University Ravens volleyball team faced a tough challenge on Saturday afternoon, having to win to secure second in Northeast-10 Conference standings, or drop down to fourth in the league with a loss. After a tough first set loss, the Ravens were able to bounce back and win three straight sets thanks to 14 kills and 25 digs by freshman Katie Leidhold (Acushnet, Mass.) to take the 3-1 win over the LeMoyne College Dolphins at the Fieldhouse.

With the win, the Ravens are now winners of eight of their last nine and improve to 13-6 (7-1 Northeast-10), maintaining a firm grasp on second place in the Northeast-10. With the loss, LeMoyne drops to 14-6 overall (5-3 Northeast-10).

LeMoyne came out swinging in set one, as they looked to set the tone jumping out to an early 10-5 lead.  But the Ravens would find a bit of a groove, and go on a run and take a lead at 13-12 thanks to a duo of kills by sophomore Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.). It was a barnburner down the stretch, both teams sharing the lead at multiple points. The Ravens had the first chance to clinch the set after another kill by St. Jean, going up 24-22. But LeMoyne fought back to tie at 24-24, forcing extra play. Again, neither team seemed to catch an advantage until LeMoyne capitalized on a Franklin Pierce error and clinched the set 31-29 on a kill by Andrea Buchanan.

Franklin Pierce then kicked up the pressure in the second set, grabbing the first three points of the set and ultimately going up 10-5 early. The Ravens maintained at least a three point lead throughout the rest of the set, easily securing a win at 25-18 to pull things even at 1-1.

The third set would be a preview of what the fourth set would look like as well, as both teams would play neck and neck down the stretch. Both squads played to a 20-20 tie in set three before the Ravens capitalized on some LeMoyne mistakes and got a kill apiece from junior Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, Texas) and sophomore Abigail Sonuga (Haverhill, Mass.) to close out the set 25-21 and pull ahead 2-1.

With their backs against the wall, LeMoyne looked as if they were in control to push play to a fifth set, grabbing a 14-11 lead. Franklin Pierce then chipped away using back-to-back kills by Garcia, and eventually pulled even at 15-15 before taking off. After another duo of kills by Sonuga and Garcia late to put the score at 24-21, a key kill by Jessica Miller made the score 24-22 keeping LeMoyne in striking distance. But an attack error by Miller off the next rally would seal the fate for the Dolphins, dropping the set 25-22 and give Franklin Pierce the 3-1 win.

Both teams played well at the net, with LeMoyne topping Franklin Pierce in blocks 8-7, while the Ravens found their niche in both attack and side-out percentage.

Behind Leidhold's double-double was St. Jean, who finished with 13 kills and having a hand in four of the team's seven blocks. The Ravens got solid performances from Sonuga and sophomore Madison Klusendorf (Santa Maria, Calif.), as each slammed home 10 kills. Sonuga made her mark with also putting a hand in four of the team's seven kills, and also hitting a team high .304 (min. 20 attempts). Klusendorf used 12 digs to help her secure a double-double on the match.

Sophomore setter Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) had herself a second big game in a row, once again topping 50 by passing out 52 assists. Defensively behind Leidhold's 25 digs was senior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) who dug up 22 digs, while fellow senior Catherine Purdy (Ossining, N.Y.) played another solid defensive game recording 13 digs of her own.

For LeMoyne, Buchanan led the offensive charge with 13 kills, followed closely by Natalie Casson with 12 kills. Kendall Corcoran had a great overall game, recording a double-double with 42 assists and 17 digs. Leading the team in digs was libero Mikayla Porr, who topped all Dolphins with 24 digs. Danica Durdines did her job up front, putting her hand in five of the team's eight blocks.

The Ravens will return to the court this Tuesday, October 27 when they finish up their four-game home stretch at the Fieldhouse by hosting Saint Anselm. Game time is 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).