NEW HAVEN, Conn. (September 17, 2021) – The Franklin Pierce University volleyball program fell to Southern Connecticut State University in three sets (20-25, 21-25, 19-25) on the first day of the SCSU Tri-Match on Friday night in Pelz Gymnasium. The Ravens slide to 4-4 on the season, while the Owls move to 9-2.

Franklin Pierce was led offensively by junior Tessa Brandt (Foster, R.I.) with 10 kills on a .156 hitting percentage, while freshman Hannah Hillis (San Clemente, Calif.) posted nine kills on a .172 clip. Junior Mariah Robles (West Covina, Calif.) added eight kills for a team-leading .222 hitting percentage.

Senior Kennedy Garnhart (Colorado Springs, Colo.) handed out a team-high 16 assists to go along with 12 digs. Sophomore Morgan Schmutzler (Lockport, Ill.) had a team-best 16 digs and two assists.

In the first set, the Ravens and Owls kept the scoring close early in set one, knotting it up at seven apiece. Southern Connecticut State pulled ahead to 12-9 after going on a 5-2 run. The Owls were able to maintain their lead over the Crimson and Grey for the remainder of the first set, earning the point on a kill by Gabriela Vazquez to make it 25-20.

The Ravens jumped ahead to a 9-6 lead at the start of the second set, but Southern Connecticut State went on a 9-2 run to make it 15-10. Franklin Pierce brought the set back within one, with the score at 16-15 in the Owls favor. The Crimson and Grey grabbed six more points, while Southern Connecticut State picked up nine more points to take the set, 25-21.

Franklin Pierce edged the Owls, 8-7, early in the final set, before Southern Connecticut State collected eight straight points to push ahead 15-8. The Ravens were able to close the gap to 13-17 with five points going their way, including two kills each from junior Ingrid Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.) and Hillis. Ultimately, the Owls stayed in the lead and registered the match point on a kill by Vazquez.

The Ravens will play two matches on Saturday, September 18, to wrap up play at the SCSU Tri-Match. Franklin Pierce matchup against Post at 12 p.m., before taking on Felician at 4 p.m.