LAKEWOOD, N.J. (September 6, 2014) – Senior Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) had a combined 23 kills in two games to lead the Franklin Pierce University Ravens to a split to open their season on the first day of the Georgian Court Invitational. The Ravens defeated Mercy College, 3-1, then dropped a 3-1 decision to host Georgian Court University.

Franklin Pierce opens the season 1-1 (0-0 Northeast-10), as the Ravens charged back by grabbing three consecutive sets after dropping the first set against Mercy. The Ravens then momentarily stayed alive by winning the third set after dropping the first two against Georgian Court, before falling in the fourth set.

In the first match, Swiderski recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs, while the offense worked through sophomore Kelsey Hausman (Sandy, Utah), who was able to notch 30 assists. Sophomore Aiden Garcia (Eagle Pass, TX) and freshman Hannah St. Jean (Olympia, Wash.) chipped in with six kills apiece, with St. Jean adding in a .667 hitting percentage on the match.

On the other side of the court, the Mavericks were led by senior Brenna White and freshman Sa'Naya Johnson, who each reached double-digit kills. White, like Swiderski, also recorded a double-double, by throwing down a match-high 17 kills and scooping up 12 digs for Mercy, while Johnson added 10 kills of her own. McKenna Ronan led the way on the assist line, dishing off 27 assists for the Mavericks.

Later in the day, the Ravens struggled to find a groove on offense as Swiderski was the only Raven in double-digit kills with 10. Garcia added in eight kills, while freshman Madison Klusendorf (Santa Maria, Calif.) added in six. Meanwhile, Hausman and freshman Hannah Runge (Deltona, Fla.) shared setting duties. Hausman finished with a match high 19, while Runge chipped in seven. Defensively, the Ravens had a tough time keeping pace up front, as the team notched only a pair of blocks, while Georgian Court piled up 10. One shining star on the defensive side was junior Sarah MacHugh (Red Hook, N.Y.) who ended with 12 digs, while Klusendorf and junior Catherine Purdy (Ossining, N.Y.) each added nine digs.

The Lions were led offensively by senior Tatiana Rodriguez and sophomore Kelsie Blue, who each smashed nine kills on the match, while Jhoan Agosto Rodriguez added in eight. Sophomore Kelsey Oliver passed out a match-high 34 assists, while on the defensive side Francheska Cedres led Georgian Court with 9 digs. Blue also chipped in with six blocks of her own.

The Ravens next take the court tomorrow in another two games, Sunday Sept. 7, when they face off against Roberts Wesleyan at 10 a.m. and Caldwell at 2 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce volleyball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).