RINDGE, N.H. (September 21, 2021) – The Franklin Pierce University volleyball team opened Northeast-10 Conference play with win over Saint Michael's in three straight sets (25-9, 25-15, 25-17) on Tuesday night at the Fieldhouse during the Lindstrom Strong Match.

Junior Mariah Robles (West Covina, Calif.) led the Ravens, offensively, with 14 kills on a .737 hitting percentage. Fellow classmates Tessa Brandt (Foster, R.I) and Ingrid Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.) added eight and six kills, respectively. Brandt has also recorded a team best two aces

Senior Kennedy Garnhart (Colorado Springs, Colo.) dished out a team-high 15 assists, while sophomore Maddie Ward (Wolfeboro, N.H.) totaled 13 assists of her own.  Sophomore Morgan Schmutzler (Lockport, Ill.) had a match-high 19 digs to go along with eight assists and one ace. Senior Cierra Dolan (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) registered a match best three blocks (two solo).

The Ravens dominated the first set, as Franklin Pierce went on a 21-9 run. The Crimson and Grey grabbed four consecutive points off three kills from Lindstrom, Dolan and Ward, and an attack error by Saint Michael's Abby Gallagher to take the set, 25-9.  

In the second set, the Purple Knights pulled ahead 10-9, before the Ravens knotted it up at 10 apiece. With the score tied, Franklin Pierce earned three more points to take a 13-10 lead. FPU never looked back as they went on 12-5 run for a final score of 25-15.

The Ravens and Purple Knights kept the final set close, trading points back and forth as Saint Michael's had the edge, 17-16 over Franklin Pierce. The Crimson and Grey tied it 17-17, before collecting eight more consecutive points. A few attack errors by Saint Michael's, three kills from Robles and two more, including the match point, from senior Corinne McCarthy (Kalamazoo, Mich.) secured the 25-17 triumph for the Ravens.

The Ravens will travel to Manchester, N.H., on Saturday, Sept. 25, for a 3 p.m. match with the Saint Anselm Hawks.