RINDGE, N.H. (9/19/23)- The Franklin Pierce Ravens rally back after dropping the first set to the Southern New Hampshire University Penmen, 3-1, in Tuesday's non-conference match up.

Raven Standouts

Tessa Brandt had 18 kills with a .389 attack percentage. She also notched two service aces, had seven digs and 1.5 blocks.

Morgan Schmutzler had 18 digs and 33 receptions for a reception percentage of .971. Schmutzler also had two service aces in her four-set performance.

The first set got off to a rocky start as the Penmen pulled away 7-12 when head coach Eric Roderick called his first timeout to settle his team, following the time out, Ingrid Lindstrom crushed one home, 8-13. Franklin Pierce would be able to close the gap to as little as three points, but the damage was already done. The Ravens drop the first set, 25-16.

The second set was a completely different story. The opening 13 points were traded back and forth. However, the Ravens would gain some momentum from a kill from Hannah Hills. Hills would than take the service line for the next five rallies, 11-7, pulling away from SNHU. The Penmen would rally back to come within three points. The Ravens would end the set on a beautiful double block from Martina Spackova and Katholiki Koukia, 25-20.

Franklin Pierce came out of the break on fire, earning the first three points. The Penmen would not go down quietly as they come roaring back to tie the game back up at 4s,5s and 6s before taking the lead at 7-6. That would not last long as the Lindstrom sisters connect on back-to-back kills, 8-7. SNHU tied it back up at nine, but the FPU would pull; away forcing a Penmen timeout at 20-17. The timeout would do it's intended job when the Penmen come back to tie it at 20-20. The two teams would trade points back and forth again becoming tied up at 21,22 and 23. Annaka Lindstrom would take the service line. Lindstrom would set up Brandt to take the lead 24-23. SNHU called timeout. Lindstrom would take the final kill into her own hands to end the set, 25-23.

Heading into the fourth set with a confident Ravens team, a kill and service ace would start the set off strong with a 2-0 lead from Brandt. SNHU, would come back to tie the set up at five, before falling back, 10-5. The Ravens would pull out to a six point lead, 16-10 before the Penmen came fighting back, the deficit to much to handle. Franklin Pierce won the set by ten, 25-15.

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Franklin Pierce Ravens take on the Bentley Falcons on Thursday, 9/21 at 7 pm in Waltham, Massachusetts.