Babcock leads way for Chieftains in opener

RINDGE, N.H. (Sept. 1, 2004) – The Franklin Pierce volleyball team suffered, a 3-1 (23-30, 30-28, 30-20, 30-26) setback to Stonehill College in season-opening Northeast-10 Conference volleyball action at the Northfields Activity Center this evening.

Junior setter Mollie Babcock (Gilford, N.H./Gilford) led the attack for the Chieftains 26 assists, four aces and 15 digs. Classmate Doree Blanco (Warwick, R.I./Toll Gate) chipped in with 14 kills and 17 digs, while junior Kathleen Riley (Melrose, Mass./Bishop Fenwick) contributed to the win with 13 kills.

Senior Briana Bates (Belmont, N.H./Endicott College) led Franklin Pierce as she totaled a team-best 12 kills, while junior Katrina Cardoza (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) contributed eight kills and four aces. Bria Williams (Chino Valley, Ariz./Chino Valley) posted 35 assists in her collegiate debut for the Ravens, while Tara Vece (Clinton, Conn./Morgan School) had a match-high 29 digs.

Franklin Pierce (0-1, 0-1 NE-10) returns to action this weekend as they participate in the Bridgeport Purple Knight Invitational. The Ravens open the tournament against Southern New Hampshire University at 5 p.m. Stonehill (1-0, 1-0 NE-10) travels to Syracuse, N.Y., on Saturday for a match with Le Moyne College at noon.