Koike leads the Raven attack with 10 kills, four blocks and two service aces

Boxscore

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (October 23, 2007) – Franklin Pierce University suffered a 3-0 (30-21, 30-28, 30-27) defeat to conference frontrunner Bryant University in a Northeast-10 Conference women’s volleyball match on Tuesday evening at the Chace Center. The Ravens fall to 9-4 in conference play with the loss, while Bryant improves its unblemished conference mark to 11-0.

Redshirt freshman Michelle Koike (San Francisco, Calif./Gonzaga University) was the only Raven to reach double-figures in kills on the evening, posting 10 kills and tying for the team lead with four blocks. Sophomore Katie Ristow (Miami, Fla./Miami Killian Senior HS) also had a solid offensive match for the Ravens, posting nine kills without an error on a .429 hitting percentage.

Junior co-captain Karissa Hookstadt (Camarillo, Calif./Camarillo) also performed well in her return to action after missing the last three matches, leading the Ravens with 33 assists to go along with seven digs, two blocks and two kills.

Bryant’s Likica Grceva (Natick, Mass./Natick) led all players with 18 kills and 19 digs, while also adding three blocks. Julie Geonnotti (St. Louis Park, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret’s) also reached double figures for the Bulldogs, posting 12 kills and four blocks.

The Ravens came close in each of the last two games, as Franklin Pierce held a slight 28-27 edge in the second game before the Bulldogs took the final three points on two kills from Geonnotti and a Raven attack error. In the third and final game, the visitors tied the score at 25 before Bryant scored three consecutive points to break away.

Franklin Pierce (16-14, 9-4 NE-10) will complete its eight-match road trip with a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, as the Ravens travel to Waterbury, Conn., to take on Philadelphia University and host Post University. Bryant (22-12, 11-0 NE-10) will take on Northeast-10 foe Southern Connecticut State on Friday night.