RINDGE, N.H. (April 23, 2018) – Franklin Pierce University head volleyball coach Stephanie Dragan is proud to announce the recruiting class of 2018. Nine new players will join the volleyball program this upcoming fall for the 2018 season.

Cierra Dolan comes to Rindge after playing for Sachem East High School and the Long Island Volleyball Academy. The 6-0 outsider hitter Ronkonkoma, N.Y. native collected All-Classification and All-Conference honors and was selected to the All-County Tournament Team. In the classroom, Dolan was a member of the National Honor Society and garnered the Scholar-Athlete Award. "Cierra is a versatile attacker and can be a force in the middle or at a pin," says coach Dragan. "Cierra is extremely athletic and has great size."

Kennedy Garnhart, a 5-6 setter, joins the Crimson and Grey from Liberty High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. Garnhart was a member of the Colorado Volleyball club team. On the court, Garnhart was Academic All-State in volleyball and tennis from 2016-17 and 2017-18. She ranked first in the 5A Colorado Springs Metro League (CSML) Conference in aces (51) and second in assists (508) for the 2016-17 campaign. She earned the prestigious Order of the Crest honor for lettering in athletics, academics and a club for two years. In the classroom, Garnhart earned an Academic Letter all four years, was chosen to the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society while qualifying for DECA States from 2015-16 and 2016-17. Kennedy is also the younger sister of Abigail, a rising junior middle blocker.  "Kennedy has a great connection with her middles and sees them very well. She also plays tenacious defense which we need in that right back position."    

Lauren Herrera is a 5-10 setter from Simi Valley, Calif. She attended Oak Park High School and played for the Supernova All-Stars club team. Herrera was a two-time Coastal Canyon All-Conference Team selection and led her high school to the first ever back-to-back undefeated conference titles. In the classroom, she was a Gold Honor Roll Student (3.7 and above GPA) and in the program's record books holds the single-season and career assist records. "Lauren is a technically sound setter that understands how to run an offense. She is a good attacking setter and she has a solid blocking presence."

Aurei King-Hill is a junior college transfer from Scottsdale Community College and helped lead the Fighting Artichokes to a 21-8 (.724) record this past season. The 6-2 right side hitter is from Tempe, Ariz., attended Marcos De Niza High School and contributed to the AZ Heat club team. "Aurei has competed at a very high level in the JUCO division. Her experience and size elevates both our offense and defense."  

Corinne McCarthy joins the volleyball program here at Franklin Pierce as a 6-1 middle blocker. The Kalamazoo, Mich. native played for the Peak Performance club team. On the court, McCarthy was named team captain of the Peak Under 18 squad and in the classroom, she was a member of the National Honors Society. "Corinne has a solid technical background and is a very hard worker. She can play middle and right side which makes her a threat."

Breanna Mineweaser is a 6-0 middle blocker from Honey Brook, Pa. Mineweaser attended Bishop Shanahan High School and competed for the East Coast Power club team. She was a three-time District Champion from 2015-17, finished second in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) State Championship (2017) and was chosen to the All-Tournament team as a middle blocker. "Bre has great speed and size. She's played a strong national schedule in club and it will help her transition as a freshman."   

Sarah Roach comes to Franklin Pierce as a 5-8 outside hitter from Provo, Utah. Roach attended Olympic College this past season playing in 24 matches. She amassed 193 kills, the second most on the team, 2.35 kills per set, a team-best .197 hitting percentage, 159 digs, 41 total blocks and 19 service aces. The Timpview High School graduated also competed for the Elevate Athletics club program. She was named the 2017 Olympic College Team MVP, a Second Team All-Region selection and in the classroom earned the 2017 Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Academic Excellence Award. "Sarah is bringing us experience and knowledge of the game. As a true six-rotation player, she has a strong court presence and is a natural leader."  

Danielle Schultz is a 5-6 defensive specialist from Islip, N.Y. She attended Islip High School and played for the Sportime Volleyball Club. Schultz was a three-time Suffolk County All-League selection. "Danielle is extremely athletic and has great ball control. She can also play outside, which brings us versatility."

Addie Wright comes to FPU as a 5-4 defensive specialist/libero from Carmel, Ind. Wright competed for the Munciana Volleyball Club and attended Cathedral High School. On the court, Wright collected the DePaul University Volleyball Gatorade Hustle Award, was a three-time AAU Girls Junior Nationals Volleyball Top-10 and a two-time Rox Volleyball Series National Qualifier in doubles. In the classroom, Wright earned Academic High Honors award and was a Cathedral High School Writing Center Mentor. "Addie has a great platform and competes at a very high level with her club. She reads the game well and will have a great vocal presence on the court."

The Ravens open up their season on Thursday, August 23rd when they welcome Texas A&M International University to the Fieldhouse for a 2:00 p.m. start time.

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). You can follow the volleyball program on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/franklin.piercevolleyball), Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPURavensVB) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpuravensvb/).