PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (10/29/22) – The decision came after a lengthy five-set battle that featured three tiebreakers between the Franklin Pierce volleyball team and the Pace University Setters. After trailing twice in the match, the Ravens continuously battled back to emerge triumphant on the second day of their two-day road trip, besting the Setters 3-2.

The win snaps a three-game skid Franklin Pierce volleyball, who improves to 8-12 (3-7 NE10) on the season with two matches remaining. The Setters fall to 5-17 (3-7 NE10) overall with the loss.

Pace got off and running early in the first frame with a 4-1 lead over the Ravens, before seniors Mariah Robles (West Covina, Calif.) and Ingrid Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.) helped spark an early comeback to bring the Ravens back into the action. Nearing the midway point of the set, first year defensive specialist Kori Garnhart (Colorado Springs, Colo.) went to work right off the bench from the backcourt with three consecutive service aces, capping the outburst with a kill to put the Ravens ahead 12-8. However, late in the action, Pace was able to string together two different unanswered soring runs, claiming the first set with four straight points 25-23. 

The two teams battled to an even six-all tie early in the second set before the Ravens claimed the lead for good with a 5-0 run. Through the entirety of the set, the Ravens got a boost with a whopping twelve total errors by the Setters, while rallying behind performances by seniors Tessa Brandt (Foster, R.I.) and Ingrid Lindstrom who each collected three kills. As a result, the Ravens would claim a 25-19 victory in the second set, evening the match up at 1-1.

After falling down 3-1 to open the third set, Franklin Pierce forced their way ahead with a 10-1 run to claim an 11-4 lead. The Ravens would continue to benefit off of attacking errors by the Setters, but were suddenly caught off guard by an explosive 8-2 Pace run, bringing the set score to 17-17. In an effort to re-introduce the Raven lead, Ingrid Lindstrom claimed consecutive kills to put them back ahead by two points, only to see Pace record four straight for the 21-19 lead. Through the end of the frame, the Ravens and the Setters fought to a 24-24 score to force a tiebreaker, with Pace claiming the match lead with a pair of kills for the 26-24 set win.

The Ravens got ahead of the Setters to begin fourth set, but were unable to maintain their lead as Pace fought back to a 14-9 advantage. Looking to recover, The Ravens returned to the lead with an 8-2 scoring run, once again taking advantage of six Setter errors along with a pair of kills from Tessa Brandt. From a 17-17 deadlock, both Mariah Robles (West Covina, Calif.) and Ingrid Lindstrom highlighted a run to put the Ravens at set-point, 24-18. However, the Setters were determined to prolong the match, and forced a second tiebreak with a 6-0 run. From there, the lead would change on three separate occasions between the two squads, before freshman Annaka Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.) played the hero with a set winning service ace, once again tying the match with a 28-26 set win. 

In the final set, both teams came out seeking the victory with a balanced attack, with Pace eventually holding set point at 14-12. However, in the final moments, the Ravens stole the victory right out of Pace's hands with four straight Setter errors, escaping with the match win 16-14 in the final set. 

Three players registered double-digit kills in the winning effort for Franklin Pierce, led by Ingrid Lindstrom (14), Mariah Robles (13) and Tessa Brandt (12). Freshman Annaka Lindstrom posted 41 assists for the Ravens, and additional first year member Martina Spackova (Bratislava, Slovakia) showed up at the net with 10 total blocks. Junior libero Morgan Schmutzler (Lockport, Ill.) kept pace in the win with 26 digs.

Following a busy week, the Ravens will have some time off before returning to The Fieldhouse on Friday, November 4^th for the first of two remaining matchups this season against The College of Saint Rose at 7 p.m.