NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 31, 2015) – Freshman Abigail Sonuga (Haverhill, Mass.) and Katie Leidhold (Acushnet, Mass.) each collected a match-high 17 kills apiece, as they led the Franklin Pierce University Ravens Volleyball team back to their winning ways and defeated the Southern Connecticut State Owls by a final of 3-2 at Pelz Gymnasium.

With the win, the Ravens improve to 15-7 (9-1 Northeast-10) on the season and maintain their second place standing on the Northeast-10 leaderboard. With the loss, Southern Connecticut falls to 6-23 (1-11 Northeast-10).

Franklin Pierce didn't get a great start in set one, as Southern Connecticut grabbed an early 7-2 lead. The Owls were able to keep their distance and hold a significant lead throughout, taking the first set 25-18 that was capped by a kill from Jasmin Barrett. Set two brought different luck for the crimson and grey, as they were able to pull the match even at 1-1 after a 25-21 win.

The tides would turn back in the opposite direction in set three, as Southern Connecticut would take a 25-21 win, as Alexandria Jurgens would send home a kill to end the set. Franklin Pierce threatened late, pulling within one at 20-19 before the Owls called a timeout. Two kills proceeded to give the Owls a 22-19 lead before a Franklin Pierce timeout. The stoppage did not phase Southern Connecticut, as they were able to close the door on the Ravens shortly after.

With their backs against the wall, the Ravens responded by grabbing an early lead in set four and never let go. Thanks to Sonuga and junior Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, Texas) who combined for 10 kills in the set, helped the Ravens force a fifth and deciding set.

Set five was no contest, as the Ravens stepped up and dominated to take the 3-2 win. Franklin Pierce would win the set 15-6, taking advantage of Southern Connecticut errors and putting home kills on the offensive side of the net.

Sonuga put her hand in five of the teams eight blocks, proving to be a force on both sides of the net. Leidhold showed defensive brilliance along with her kills, recording another double-double with 19 digs. Both Garcia and sophomore Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) were the others in double-figure kills, as Garcia recorded 12 and St. Jean 10.

However, defensive MVP of the night would go to senior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) who notched a match-high 28 digs, while sophomore Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) tossed out 50 assists on the night, giving her three of the last four games she's accomplished the feat.

Faith Ford led the way for the Owls with 17 kills, while Carly Balskus and Kelly Gunneson each topped double-digits as well with 12 and 11. Morgan Carman and Jurgens were busy defensively, as each topped 20 digs with 27 and 22, while Taylor Carlson tossed out 48 assists on the night.

The Ravens return to the court on Tuesday, November 3 when they travel to Colchester, Vt. to take on Saint Michael's. 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).