BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (September 23, 2016) – The Franklin Pierce University volleyball team's two game winning streak was snapped Friday evening by non-conference opponent University of Bridgeport 3-1 (15-25, 16-25, 25-22, 17-25). With the loss, the Ravens fall to 5-7 overall and the victory moves the Purple Knights to 3-5.

Katie Leidhold (Acushnet, Mass.) once again led the Raven offense with 13 kills and chipped in on defense with 13 digs and two blocks. Abigail Sonuga (Haverhill, Mass.) hit .407 with 12 kills and two blocks. Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) dished out 36 helpers.

The Ravens net presence was stronger than the Purple Knights as they recorded 11 total blocks to the hosts seven. Bridgeport hit significantly better than FPU (.275 to .148) and had less return errors than the Crimson and Grey.

Leidhold started the first set with a kill from Runge which gave the Ravens their only lead of the set. The Purple Knights responded by using an 8-2 run that culminated in an ace by Frida Randen to put UB ahead 8-3. A Morgan Knight kill grew the lead to a set high 11 points, 20-9, Bridgeport eventually won the set by a 25-15 margin on a kill from Sheri Middleton.

UB continued their momentum into the second stanza with a set opening 6-0 scoring binge. Their lead increased to 10-4 in the early going after another kill from Middleton. FPU closed the gap to three 12-9 after Abigail Sonuga swung the ball into the court for a kill. That's the closest the Ravens got to the lead in the second set as the Purple Knights put the guests in their rearviewmirror.

The teams traded barbs during the beginning of the third set as the Ravens jumped out to an 8-6 lead. Bridgeport regained the advantage 15-11 midway through the third set. FPU refused to back down as the squad staged a third set comeback. Trailing 19-17, FPU tallied three straight points to go up 20-19 forcing the Purple Knights to take a timeout. The Ravens outscored the hosts five to three in the remaining serves to take the set 25-22.

Pierce kept Bridgeport on their toes during the beginning of the fourth and final set as they led 3-2 after a Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) kill. The Purple Knights pulled away in the middle of the set to go up seven, 20-13. The Ravens couldn't close the gap as they lost 25-17 in the fourth set.

The Ravens continue their Connecticut road trip with a duel tomorrow against Northeast-10 opponent New Haven at 1:00 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 cross country apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).