SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Franklin Pierce volleyball team had a long week leading up to this weekend's series of matches at the AIC Yellow Jacket Invitational hosted by American International College. After a poor weekend offensively last weekend, the Ravens answered the call by taking a victory over American International College 3-2 before dropping a 3-0 match to Saint Rose on Friday afternoon.

Leading the Ravens charge in the first match with a double-double was senior Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, NY). Swiderski recorded 17 kills and 18 digs over the five sets. Assisting her in the offense was sophomore Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, TX) who also reached double digit kills with 15.

The Ravens came out slow, taking a one-sided 25-12 loss in the first set of the match. From there, it was a barnburner between the two teams, with the Ravens taking the second set 27-25 and the third set, 25-23. The Ravens would lose the fourth set by a close two-point margins 25-23, before ultimately taking the victory in demanding style with a 15-6 win in the fifth and final set.

Aiding the Ravens win was freshman Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.), who showed up and finished with a new career-high 37 assists in the match. Other than Swiderski, three other Ravens finished with double-digit digs, including junior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) who finished with a team-high 34.

The Ravens also played their best defensive net game of the season, recording a total of 10 team blocks that consisted of seven different players getting a hand in the stops.

For American International, Pheobe Lettington (14) and Bailey Swan (12) recorded double-digit kills, while Nikki Naccarato dished out 38 assists. Lettington (21) and Franny Sanchez (29) topped 20 digs for the Yellow Jackets.

In the second match, the Ravens squared off against a tough Saint Rose team, and dropped the match 3-0. The Ravens went back in the wrong direction offensively, as no Raven posted more than six kills. Runge gave out 21 assists, and sophomore Kelsey Hausman (Sandy, Utah) led the way in the digs department with 15.

For Saint Rose, Maryellen Devic (15) and Kelsey Lace (10) each finished with over 10 kills. The Daniels tandem of Tori Daniels and Katy Daniels led categories for Saint Rose. Tori Daniels (20) led in assists while Katy Daniels (28) led in digs.

The Ravens' record now stands a 2-6, as they take the court again tomorrow, Saturday September 20 when they play another double header. They take on Nyack at 11 a.m., and Wilmington at 1 p.m.

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).