Article by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 

WATERBURY, CONN. (09/09/2023) – Franklin Pierce University Volleyball earned a pair of wins and one loss at the Post University Eagles Invitational over the weekend. The first match was hardest the team had struggled all season after the Ravens suffered a 3-0 loss to The University of Bridgeport. The team shook off the rust for their second match of the day on Saturday, successfully taking down the Post University Eagles in a 3-0 win. Resting up over night for their Sunday sets, the Ravens went on to beat the Dominican University Chargers, 3-1. The Ravens are now 4-1 on the season which is the best start through five games that the program has had since 2013.

Match 1:
University of Bridgeport 3, Franklin Pierce University 0
(25-12, 28-26, 25-14)

Raven Standouts:
Morgan Schmutzler: 23 Digs  
Ingrid Lindstrom: 9 Kills, 2 Digs
Avery LeBlanc: 8 Kills, 3 Digs
Tessa Brandt: 4 Kills, 11 Digs

The opening match at the Eagles Invitational was the largest challenge the Ravens had faced all season. During the first set the Ravens and the Purple Knights were neck and neck until the score was 6-5 Bridgeport. From there, the Purple Knights went on a pair of five-point runs giving UB the 16-7 lead. The Ravens chipped away at the deficit but when the score reached 20-11, UB went on another five-point run to win the first set 25-11.  

Getting a fresh start in the second set, the Ravens picked up the pace. The two teams battled back-and-forth keeping the score within two points all the way until the end. Just points from victory, the Ravens were up 23-21, but UB called a time out to make some adjustments and slow the momentum. From there the both teams fought until the scoreboard read 25-25. Tessa Brant (Foster, R.I.) was able to secure the 26-25 lead with a service ace, but after that UB again went on a three-point run winning the set 28-26.

The third and final set of the match looked similar to the first. Both teams were neck-and-neck until the score was 10-9 UB. From there, the Purple Knights scored five unanswered points and pulled away winning 25-14.

Match 2:
Franklin Pierce University 3, Post University 0
(25-15, 25-22, 25-14)

Raven Standouts:
Morgan Schmutzler: 30 Digs  
Katholiki Koukia: 11 Kills, 4 Digs, 3 BA
Tessa Brandt: 8 Kills, 14 Digs, 2 BA
Ingrid Lindstrom: 7 Kills, 2 Digs, 4 BA
Madelynn Boop: 5 Kills, 12 Digs, 2 BA
Martina Spackova: 4 Kills, 4 Digs, 7 BA

Though it was the same day and the same team, the Franklin Pierce University Ravens completely shifted course for their second match against the Post University Eagles. Statistically, it was more of a team win. Again, Morgan Smutzler (Lockport, Ill.) led the way racking up 30 digs, however the kill count was dispersed throughout the team with Katholiki Koukia (Dodecanese, Greece) leading the way with 11.

In the first set, the battle of the birds was close until the Ravens led 13-12. From there, FPU scored six unanswered points fueled by blocks from Lindstrom, Brant, and Spackova. Holding a strong lead for the rest of the set, the score reached 23-15 Pierce. That was when sophomore Kori Garnhart stepped up to serve. Her first was returned by Post but later sent back by Koukia who earned the kill. Then Garnhart's second serve was unreturnable by the Eagles and the Ravens won the set on a service ace.

In the second set, the Ravens boasted a commanding lead until the score reached 20-14. From their the Ravens offense stalled out and the Eagles soared back into the match making it 21-19. The teams traded points until it was 24-22 FPU. On the set point, Spackova and Koukia teamed up to block a Post attack, taking home the second set 25-22.

During the third set between Post and Pierce, the Ravens flew away with the lead half way through. FPU was up 10-8 when the team went off on an eight-point run. Spreading the wealth of points across the Franklin Pierce roster, blocks and kills were registered by Spackova, Boop, Koukia and Brandt. Post chipped in a few points along the way but the Ravens ended up winning the set 25-14, securing their first win of the tournament.

Match 3:
Franklin Pierce University 3, Dominican (N.Y.) 1
(18-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-23)

Raven Standouts:
Ingrid Lindstrom: 14 Kills, 1 Digs, 3 BA
Tessa Brandt: 12 Kills, 18 Digs, 2 BA
Madelynn Boop: 8 Kills, 8 Digs
Annaka Lindstrom: 5 Kills, 10 Digs, 3 BA
Morgan Schmutzler: 26 Digs  

On the second day of the Eagle Invitational, the Ravens took on the Dominican University Chargers. Similar to the team's second match of the tournament against Post, many Ravens chipped in to help secure the 3-1 victory. Ingrid Lindstrom and Tessa Brandt were snipers on the court, each piecing together double-digit kills. Madelynn Boop put together a solid match with 8 kills and digs along with Annaka Lindstrom who put together a solid resume of points herself. During the match Morgan Schmutzler was diving all over the place registering 26 digs, totaling 79 on the weekend and helped her pass the 1,000-career dig milestone. Moments after her 1,000^th dig, the team won the point and surrounded Schmutzler to congratulate her.

During the first set, the Ravens and Chargers hashed it out and stayed even until the score was tied at 7-7. From there the Chargers saddled up and went on a four-point run and then a six-point run. The Ravens pecked away at the deficit bringing it within six-points, but when the score reached 23-17, the Chargers landed back-to-back kills to secure the first set.

If the second set was a drag race, then the Ravens put the pedal to the floor the moment it started. The Chargers won the first point, but after that FPU responded with eight unanswered points. The run was fueled by a pair of kills from Madelynn Boop, and a few unreturnable serves from Tessa Brandt. When the score board read 20-10, the Ravens and Charges began trading points until it was 24-15. After a serve from Madelynn Boop and a return from Dominican, Boop set up a shot for Annaka Lindstrom who laid down the set winning kill, tying the match 1-1.

The third set had several shifts in momentum in the battle to 25 points. The teams were neck-and-neck until the Ravens were up 12-9. From there, for every one point the Chargers scored, the Ravens would counter with two more. At 21-15, the Ravens were within eye shot of victory, but the Chargers responded with a three-point run. Similar to the second set, Dominican was able to chip away but it was too late. At 24-21, Annaka Lindtsrom set up her sister for the set winning kill and the Ravens took the 2-1 lead.

The fourth and final set was played and ended in similar fashion to the third. Again, the teams battled back and forth but the 23^rd, 24^th and game winning 25^th point were set by Annaka Lindstrom and scored by Ingrid Lindstrom. The Ravens walked away with their fourth victory of the season in a 3-1 win over the Dominican University Chargers.

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS: Franklin Pierce Volleyball's next match is set for Saturday September, 16 at 12:00 against the University of Bridgeport.