CHESTER COUNTY, PA. (8/26/22) – The new season got underway for the Franklin Pierce University women's volleyball team, who kicked the action off with a pair of matchups at the annual Ram Fest, hosted by West Chester University (Pa.) 

Game #1: vs. Georgian Court University

Senior Mariah Robles (West Covina, Calif.) led the way for the Ravens in the afternoon opener, as she smashed 12 kills while registering a kill percentage of .682 to power the Ravens past Georgian Court University (0-1-0) by a 3-0 final score. Along with the offensive lead, Robles led the defensive efforts in the match with 11 total digs.

The opening set saw a close battle between the two squads, with Pierce holding the lead through the majority. After establishing a 22-12 lead, the Ravens saw their largest challenge of the match with the Lions putting on their rally caps, powering through with a 7-1 scoring run to bring the score to within four points. However, senior Tessa Brandt (Foster, R.I.) and freshman newcomer Martina Spackova (Bratislava, Slovakia) did away with the threat, finishing things off with a kill each for the 25-20 set victory.

Franklin Pierce, after a sluggish start to the second set, pulled away from a 6-4 deficit with 13 unanswered points down the stretch. Each of the final 10 scoring plays featured a kill from one of five Ravens players, including four from Robles and three by senior Ingrid Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.).

Game #2: vs. Millersville

The afternoon's closing contest saw three sets of close contention between Franklin Pierce and Millersville, with the Marauders narrowly escaping with the victory in all three sets by no more than five points. Through the match, senior outside hitter Tessa Brandt led the offense with 13 total kills, accompanied by a 14-dig defensive by both Brandt and junior libero Morgan Schmutzler (Lockport, Ill.).

 The early action saw a balanced attack that came in waves for each side, with the Ravens holding onto a thin lead through most of the action. However, a late Millersville momentum shift saw them jump ahead at 20-19,  only to continue on through the final seven scoring plays, scoring five times to close it out.

Play remained tight early in the 2^nd, with Millersville gaining the lead for good at 14-all. A pair of kills from outside hitter Tessa Brandt brought the Ravens back within one late, but a repeat of history by the Marauders saw five points on the last seven plays once again, securing the victory for Millersville.

The final frame saw a near deadlock effort on each side, with the largest lead being only four points. The dramatic finish saw a 23-all tie, with Millersville claiming the final two kills to secure the match closing victory over the Ravens, 25-23.

Volleyball returns to the court tomorrow, Saturday 8/27/22 for another twin-bill series, featuring matchups with Goldey-Beacom College at Noon and host West Chester University at 2PM.