RINDGE, N.H. (October 22, 2021) – The energy inside the Field House was electric as the Franklin Pierce University women's volleyball team defeated Northeast-10 Conference rival Southern Connecticut State University 3-2 in a thrilling match, as the offense was led by juniors Mariah Robles (West Covina, Calif.) and Tessa Brandt (Foster, R.I.).

Robles collected a team best 20 kills through the five-set match on 53 total attempts, while Brandt followed with 17 kills on 56 total attempts. Brandt also led the way on the back end with a team high 20 digs. Senior Kennedy Garnahrt (Colorado Springs, Colo.) dished out 26 assists for the Crimson and Grey. Senior Cierra Dolan (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) had a match-high five blocks, and sophomore Morgan Schmutzler (Lockport, Ill.) recorded two aces on the night.

The first set was all SCSU, as the team jumped out to a 7-3 lead early in the set and held the lead throughout the end winning the point by a final score of 25-16. The largest deficit of the match.

Franklin Pierce won both sets two and three, both by small margins. The second set started with the Owls taking a 3-0 lead, but the Ravens quickly evened the score before four lead changes between the two teams brought the score to a 19-19 draw. Franklin Pierce collected three straight points and kept the pressure on to win the set 25-21.

The third set was even closer with the Ravens coming out on top 25-23. Franklin Pierce held the lead for the majority of the set, eventually going on a 4-1 run. SCSU made it a 21-23 set, with the Ravens holding the lead, before a kill from freshman Hannah Hillis (San Clemente, Calif.) clinched the final point for FPU to win 25-23.

The Owls tied the match at 2-2 with a 25-23 win in set four. SCSU took the first lead of the set and lead all the way until the late stages when Franklin Pierce jumped ahead 22-21, then 23-22. Three straight points including a pair of kills from Abigail Epstein and Taylor Jones gave the owls the set win and forced the fifth set.

The fifth and final set saw the Ravens start with the lead and quickly taken away by the Owls. Down 10-9, the Ravens grabbed five straight points to reclaim the lead and apply the pressure onto the Owls. The win by two set needed an extra point, as the match was knotted up at 14 apiece.  A kill from Dolan helped the Ravens pick up the match point and win 16-14.

With the win Franklin Pierce moves their record back to an even .500 at 9-9 overall on the season, and 3-4 in the NE10 Conference. Meanwhile, SCSU falls to 17-7 overall, and 3-3 in the conference.

The Ravens travel to the College of Saint Rose on Friday, October 29 for a Northeast-10 Conference match at 6 p.m.