Ravens sweep season series with home victory

RINDGE, N.H. (Oct. 21, 2004) – The Franklin Pierce volleyball team defeated visiting Colby-Sawyer College 3-1 (29-30, 30-23, 30-18, 30-18) in non-conference action tonight, earning a 2-0 season sweep over the Chargers in head-to-head play. After dropping the first set, the Ravens fought back to take the next three en route to their ninth victory of the season. With the win, Franklin Pierce improves its overall record to 9-11. Colby-Sawyer drops to 16-5 with the loss.

The Ravens received fine performances from a pair of sophomore outside hitters. Michelle McConnell (Elora, Ontario/Centre Wellington) highlighted the effort, contributing 17 digs, 14 kills and four service aces, while Christina Collett (Tombstone, Ariz./Tombstone) added 17 kills and seven digs. Co-captains Briana Bates (Belmont, N.H./Endicott College) and Tara Vece (Clinton, Conn./Morgan School) tallied 14 kills and 26 digs respectively, while junior outside hitter Katrina Cardoza (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) chipped in with ten kills. Directing the offense for Franklin Pierce was freshman setter Bria Williams (Chino Valley, Ariz./Chino Valley), who piled up 48 assists.

Junior outside hitter Kathy Couture (Greenfield, Mass/Greenfield) notched 16 kills to spark the Colby-Sawyer offense, while junior libero Amy Tarte (Meredith, N.H./Inter-Lakes) led the defense with 26 digs. The tandem of Lindsey Wilfore (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) and junior Ashley Lorance (Pembroke, Mass./Silver Lake Regional) were solid up front for the Chargers, posting 12 and eleven kills respectively. On the defensive end junior Becky Schaffer (Lakeland, Fla./Westminster) had 17 digs and senior Karen Tryon (Tilton, N.H./Winnisquam Regional) had 14 digs. Junior Sarah Blume (Herman, Minn./Wheaton) orchestrated the offense for Colby-Sawyer, racking up 44 assists.

The Ravens will take the court again on Thursday when they travel to Southern Connecticut State for a Northeast-10 match beginning at 7 p.m. Colby-Sawyer returns to action on Saturday when they host Southern New Hampshire at 11 a.m.