COLCHESTER, Vt. (9/5/2025) - The Franklin Pierce University women's volleyball team opened the 2025 campaign at the Windjammer Classic in Colchester, Vermont, facing two nationally ranked opponents on Friday.
In their first match of the day, the Ravens battled No. 12 Nebraska–Kearney, but the Lopers proved too strong, taking the match in straight sets (25-8, 25-8, 25-7). Avery LeBlanc, Jayne Hiatt, and Adrianna Reay paced the offense with three kills apiece, while setter Annaka Lindstrom recorded 14 assists.
Franklin Pierce returned to the court in the afternoon for a matchup against No. 18 Bentley. After dropping the first two sets, the Ravens responded with their best stretch of the day, edging the Falcons 26-24 in the third to extend the match. Despite a strong push in the fourth, Bentley closed out the contest 3-1 (25-15, 25-20, 24-26, 25-14). Reay led the Ravens with eight kills, while Lindstrom dished out 28 assists and Kori Garnhart anchored the defense with 14 digs.
Records: FPU (0-2, 0-0 NE10), Neb.-Kearney (2-0, 0-0 Mid America Intercollegiate), Bentley (2-0, 0-0 NE10)
Location:Ross Sports Center, Colchester, Vt.
Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
Match One: No. 12 Neb.-Kearney 3, FPU 0 (25-8, 25-8, 25-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set One
Franklin Pierce opened strong against No. 12 Nebraska–Kearney, with Avery LeBlanc (Exeter, R.I.) and Adrianna Reay (Bristol, Conn.) tallying early kills to keep the Ravens within striking distance. Kori Garnhart (Colorado Springs, Colo.) added a kill to make it 7–5 midway through the set, and Franklin Pierce stayed in the fight as LeBlanc and Martina Spackova (Bratislava, Slovakia) chipped away at the Loper defense. Despite the push, Nebraska–Kearney pulled away late to claim the opener 25–8.
Set Two
The Ravens looked to respond in the second frame, getting points from Reay, Jayne Hiatt (Granby, Conn.), and Katholiki Koukia (Rhodes, Greece). Spackova also added a kill to cut into the Loper lead, while Franklin Pierce capitalized on several UNK errors to push the score to 17–7. The Ravens continued to battle with defensive plays at the net from Hiatt and LeBlanc, but the nationally ranked Lopers took the set 25–8.
Set Three
LeBlanc and Hiatt again sparked the attack in the third set, as Franklin Pierce traded points early with Nebraska–Kearney. Koukia added a kill, and the Ravens gained momentum behind steady setting from Annaka Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.) to stay within reach at 8–3. Reay and Spackova chipped in with late points, but Nebraska–Kearney closed out the match with a 25–7 decision to sweep the contest 3–0.
BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS
Match Two: No. 18 Bentley 3, FPU 0 (25-15, 25-20, 24-26, 25-14)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set One
The Ravens came out ready to compete, with LeBlanc and Hiatt providing early kills to keep the score tight at 5–5. Reay and Koukia added points to keep Franklin Pierce within striking distance, and a service ace from Julia Felgenhauer (Bolivar, Ohio) narrowed the gap late in the set. Despite the push, Bentley capitalized on a late run to close out the opener 25–15.
Set Two
Franklin Pierce regrouped in the second set, with LeBlanc, Reay, and Spackova sparking a strong offensive stretch that saw the Ravens go point-for-point with the Falcons. Koukia and Hiatt each converted kills in the middle of the set, and the Ravens kept pace to force a tight finish. Franklin Pierce made a late surge, with Hiatt registering back-to-back kills before the set was decided in Bentley's favor, 25–20.
Set Three
The Ravens delivered their best stretch of the night in the third frame. Lindstrom opened with consecutive service aces, and Spackova and LeBlanc chipped in kills to help Franklin Pierce build momentum. Hiatt was effective at the net with multiple kills down the stretch, and the Ravens held their ground in a back-and-forth battle. Tied 24–24, Franklin Pierce took advantage of two Bentley errors to seal the set 26–24, cutting the match deficit to 2–1.
Set Four
Looking to force a decisive fifth, the Ravens struck early behind kills from Spackova and Reay. Lindstrom and Koukia combined on the block to add points, but Bentley's attack answered with a string of kills and aces to swing momentum back. Franklin Pierce battled to stay in it, highlighted by kills from Hiatt and LeBlanc, yet the Falcons pulled away late to claim the set 25–14 and the match 3–1.
BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS
UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: Franklin Pierce continues play at the 2025 Windjammer Classic with two matches on Saturday, taking on East Stroudsburg at 12:00 p.m. before facing the host, Saint Michael's, at 6:30 p.m.
