RINDGE, N.H. (10/11/25) – The Franklin Pierce University women's volleyball team capped off a thrilling five-set battle with a statement win on Saturday afternoon, taking down Pace University 3–2 in a Northeast 10 Conference matchup at The Fieldhouse. Senior setter Annaka Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.) highlighted the afternoon by surpassing the 2,000-assist milestone in her Raven career, cementing her place among the program's all-time greats.
Score: Franklin Pierce 3, Pace 2 (25–18, 19–25, 25–22, 22–25, 15–12)
Records: Franklin Pierce 5-10 (1-1 NE10), Pace 8-5 (0-2 NE10)
Location: The Fieldhouse, Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, N.H.
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Ravens opened the match with a dominant first set, fueled by a fast start from Avery LeBlanc (Exeter, R.I.) and Jayne Hiatt (Granby, Conn.). Franklin Pierce controlled the tempo from the service line and at the net, using a 7–2 run midway through the frame to pull away for a 25–18 victory.
- Pace responded in set two, capitalizing on several Raven attack errors to even the match at 1–1 with a 25–19 win. Despite a 16–6 lead early in the frame behind key service runs from Kori Garnhart (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Julia Felgenhauer (Bolivar, Ohio), Franklin Pierce couldn't hold off a late surge from the Setters.
- The pivotal third set saw the Ravens regain momentum with balanced offense and tough blocking. Lindstrom distributed the ball efficiently, while Katholiki Koukia (Rhodes, Greece) and Martina Spackova (Bratislava, Slovakia) combined for several crucial points at the net. Franklin Pierce held off a late Pace rally to claim the set, 25–22.
- Set four was a back-and-forth battle that featured 13 ties and six lead changes, but Pace found separation late to force a decisive fifth with a 25–22 win.
- In the final frame, Franklin Pierce jumped out to an early 8–2 lead and never looked back. LeBlanc, Hiatt, and Adrianna Reay (Bristol, Conn.) delivered key kills down the stretch, while Lindstrom orchestrated the offense en route to the Ravens' 15–12 match-clinching victory.
BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS
- Katholiki Koukia led the offense with 13 kills, five block assists, and 17.5 points.
- Avery LeBlanc followed closely with 11 kills, 16 digs, and 13.0 points.
- Adrianna Reay and Jayne Hiatt each chipped in 9 kills, with Hiatt also adding 15 digs and 3 service aces.
- Annaka Lindstrom guided the attack with 38 assists, 14 digs, 3 service aces, and 6 total blocks (3 solo, 3 assists), surpassing 2,000 career assists in the process.
- Martina Spackova was dominant at the net, finishing with 6 kills on .545 hitting and 5 total blocks.
- The Ravens out-blocked Pace 14.0 to 8.0 and posted 11 service aces as a team.
UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: Franklin Pierce will return to action on Tuesday, October 14, when they host Bentley University in another NE10 matchup. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. in Rindge, N.H.
