Hawks overcome slow start to defeat Ravens

RINDGE, N.H. (Sept. 14, 2004) – The Franklin Pierce volleyball team suffered a 3-1 (21-30, 30-24, 30-28, 30-26) setback to Saint Anselm College in Northeast-10 Conference volleyball action at the Northfields Activity Center this evening. After dropping the first game, the Hawks overcame a persistent attack by the Ravens to take the next three games and the match.

Sophomore setter Kathleen McCarthy (Quincy, Mass/Quincy) directed the Saint Anselm offense, delivering a match-high 46 assists. Many of those feeds were directed towards senior outside hitter Karen Lyons (Bourne, Mass./Bourne) who compiled 12 kills to go along with 22 digs. The Hawks received a spark when freshman outside hitter Kori Chace (Rumford, R.I./E. Providence) was inserted into the lineup during the third game of the match and instantly provided seven kills. Leading the defense was senior Amy Letourneau (Pascoag, R.I./Mt. St. Charles) who led the team with 28 digs.

Franklin Pierce received solid production from sophomore outside hitter Michelle McConnell (Elora, Ontario/Centre Wellington) who had eleven kills and 14 digs. Classmate Christina Collett (Tombstone, Ariz./Tombstone) totaled 15 kills and 8 digs, while senior outside hitter Briana Bates (Belmont, N.H./Endicott College) contributed 14 kills. Freshman setter Bria Williams (Chino Valley, Ariz./Chino Valley) led the Ravens with 39 assists and six aces, and junior defensive specialist Tara Vece (Clinton, Conn./Morgan School) had a match-high 30 digs.

Franklin Pierce (2-6, 1-3 NE-10) will next be in action on Thursday, as they travel to American International College for a Northeast-10 Conference match beginning at 7 p.m. Saint Anselm (4-5, 3-1 NE-10) will return to action Saturday, as they host Saint Michael's College for a Northeast-10 Conference match beginning at 1 p.m.