TAMPA (September 2, 2016) – The Franklin Pierce volleyball team dropped their first two matches of the season during day one of the Courtyard by Marriott Classic, Friday at the University of Tampa. The crimson and grey were swept in three sets by Minnesota State – Mankato (15-25, 15-25, 9-25) in their season opening game and by the no. 7 nationally-ranked host Spartans (12-25, 8-25, 15-25) during the afternoon matinee match. The setbacks send the Ravens to 0-2 on the young season.

Game One: Minnesota State – Mankato 3, Franklin Pierce 0 (15-25, 15-25, 9-25)

The Ravens jumped out to an early 6-3 advantage after a Sydney Geisness attack error. Minnesota State responded with three straight points; a kill each by Geisness, Jackie Jones and a FPU attack error that knotted the score at 6-6. Junior setter Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) set up teammate Abigail Sonuga (Haverhill, Mass.) for a kill to regain the lead for the Ravens, before a bad set by Runge tied up the contest again. On the next possession outside hitter Katie Leidhold (Acushnet, Mass.) gave the lead back to FPU with a kill from Runge to go up 8-7 early on.

The Mustangs responded with an 11-0 scoring binge to take a commanding 18-8 lead in the first set. Krista Hassing chipped in with three kills during the scoring run while Jones and Sydney Powell added two apiece.

FPU earned the first two points in the second set off attack errors and were outscored by the Mustang attack over the next few serves. Minnesota State used scoring spurts of four, four and six points to go up 14-4 midway through the set. The crimson and grey rallied back with a 5-1 scoring run of their own to cut the deficit to 16-10 which was capped off by a Leidhold kill assisted by Runge. The Mustangs scored four straight to go up 20-10 and both teams swapped points the rest of the set.

Minnesota State opened the third and final set with an 11-2 run and never looked back winning the set 25-9.

Katie Leidhold led the Ravens offensive attack with 11 kills. Sophomore Brittney Carias (Burlingame, Calif.) was a defensive wizard coming up with 12 digs and Hannah Runge handed out 14 assists while coming up with seven digs.

Game Two: #7 University of Tampa 3, Franklin Pierce 0 (12-25, 8-25, 15-25)

Katie Leidhold once again led the Ravens offense in the second game with a team-best six kills and also chipped in on the defensive end with seven digs. Newcomer Danielle Varricchio (Boynton Beach, Fla.) added three kills and a dig while Runge doled out nine helpers with seven digs. Brittney Carias led FPU with nine digs.

FPU started the contest fast jumping out to an early 4-1 lead with kills by captain Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.), Leidhold and Madison Klusendorf (Santa Maria, Calif.). Tampa came back fast to take a 9-6 lead using an 8-2 scoring run. The set remained close as each squad traded points back and forth before the Spartans pulled away to take the first set 25-12.

The Ravens could muster only eight points in set two as they hit -.200 throughout the set. Tampa tallied six straight points all with Shelby Joslin serving to go up 6-0 before the Ravens added two consecutive points on a service error and an attack error. UT went on another 8-2 run to increase their advantage to 15-4 midway through the set. FPU racked up only four more points, two by the way of service errors and two by kills from Leidhold and Runge as the Spartans took the set 25-8.

The crimson and grey jumped out 6-4 early on before UT climbed back into the contest and took a 7-6 lead. Over the next few possessions, both teams swapped points as the Ravens cut the deficit to one at 9-8. Tampa used a 10-2 run to take a 19-10 lead late into the set and didn't look back.

FPU returns to the court tomorrow for day two of the Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic with a 10:00 am duel with Pittsburgh Johnstown and their final match of the tournament at 4:45pm against Henderson State.

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 apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).