Ravens earn first post-season birth since joining the Northeast-10

RINDGE, N.H. (November 8, 2005) – The Northeast-10 announced on Monday that No. 5 seeded Franklin Pierce will face No. 4 seeded UMass Lowell in the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Quarterfinals this Friday at Pace University.

In her first season at the helm of the Franklin Pierce volleyball team, Head Coach Michelle Kreeger (American University) has lead the Ravens to its first post-season playoff berth since joining the Northeast-10 Conference during the 2000 season. The Ravens last appeared in the post season during the 1999 season, when the team participated in the New England Collegiate Conference Tournament.

This season, the Franklin Pierce attack has been led by freshman middle-hitter Nicole Buchholz (Ashburn, Va./Stone Ridge), who is registering 3.42 kills per game (10th NE-10) as well as 1.06 blocks per game (10th NE-10). Buchholz is also hitting a team best .266 pct. Senior captain Tara Vece (Clinton, Conn./The Morgan School) has also been a key factor in the Raven success, as she has averaged 5.66 digs per game (3rd NE-10). The Franklin Pierce libero has totaled 498 digs this season.

Senior Jessica Ward (Clinton, Conn./The Morgan School) and junior Christina Collett (Tombstone, Ariz./Tombstone) have also enhanced the Raven attack. Ward is hitting 2.13 kills per game as well as 1.67 digs, while Collett is contributing 2.89 kills per game.

Freshman setter Karissa Hookstadt (Camarillo, Calif./Camarillo) and classmate Emily Schultz (Salem, Wis./Central Westosha) have also been solid during their rookie seasons. Hookstadt is averaging 8.75 assists per game (10th NE-10), while also chipping in with 2.20 digs and 1.11 kills per game, while Schultz is posting 1.75 kills per game and 1.71 digs.

Franklin Pierce has faced UMass Lowell on two occasions this season. The Ravens dropped both games to the River Hawks, losing 3-1on the road and 3-1 at home.

Franklin Pierce ended the regular season 13-12 overall, 9-5 in the Northeast-10. The winner of the Franklin Pierce/UMass Lowell match will face the winner of top seeded Bentley College and No. 8 seed Pace University on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Northeast-10 Conference finals will be held on Saturday at 5 p.m.