Ravens outlast Bryant, 3-2, in match one

Dowling blanks Ravens, 3-0, in match two

Boxscore at Bryant
Boxscore vs. Dowling

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (October 20, 2006) – Franklin Pierce earned a split decision in a volleyball tri-match this afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center. The Ravens opened with a 3-2 (30-27, 28-30, 30-26, 24-30, 15-9) victory over host Bryant University before suffering a tough 3-0 (11-30, 17-30, 25-30) non-conference setback to No. 1 regionally ranked, Dowling College in the nightcap.

Franklin Pierce 3, Bryant 2
(30-27, 28-30, 30-26, 24-30, 15-9)

Franklin Pierce posted a season-high 17 blocks to earn a key Northeast region victory over Bryant University in this afternoon’s opening match.

Freshman outside-hitter Caitlynn Parnell (Medina, Texas/Medina) led the Franklin Pierce attack, posting a team-high 19 kills, 11 digs and two blocks. Sophomore Emily Schultz (Salem, Wis./Westosha Central) added 15 kills, 18 digs and four blocks, while classmate Nicole Buchholz (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) tallied eight kills and five blocks.

Freshman Katie Ristow (Miami, Fla./Miami Killian SHS) contributed nine kills and 18 digs in the victory, while sophomore setter Karissa Hookstadt (Camarillo, Calif./Camarillo) dished 47 assists to go with 11 digs and two blocks. Senior captain Michelle McConnell (Elora, Ontario/Centre Wellington) registered a career-high, 38 digs, to lead the Ravens defensively

Freshman Julie Geonnotti (St. Louis Park, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) led Bryant offensively, collecting a team-high 19 kills, 26 digs and two service aces. Senior Jess Cegarra (Danville, N.H./Timberlane) was also solid for the Bulldogs, posting 16 kills and a match-high nine blocks. Junior setter Tiffany Garry (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East) dished out a match-high 51 assists to go with 16 digs and three service aces.

Dowling 3, Franklin Pierce 0
(11-30, 17-30, 25-30)

In match two, Franklin Pierce suffered a tough 3-0 non-conference setback to Dowling College.

Senior Nikki Armstrong (Knoxville, Tenn./Farrgut HS ) led the Dowling attack, posting a match-high16 kills and three blocks. Classmate Marta Slodnik (Gdynia, Poland/Gdynia Maritime University) was also solid registering ten kills, eight digs and two blocks. Sophomore setter Rachel Zulick (Alberquerque, N.M./La Cueva HS) recorded a match-high 39 assists to pace the Golden Lions.

Franklin Pierce freshman Caitlynn Parnell (Medina, Texas/Medina) led the Ravens attack posting a team-high eight kills and seven digs. Sophomore Emily Schultz (Salem, Wis./Westosha Central) collected four kills and five digs while classmate Nicole Buchholz (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) posted five kills and two blocks.

Sophomore setter Karissa Hookstadt (Camarillo, Calif./Camarillo) tallied 25 assists to pace the Raven offense while, while senior libero Michelle McConnell (Elora, Ontario/Centre Wellington) chipped in ten digs defensively.

Franklin Pierce (15-7, 8-4 NE-10) is back in action tomorrow as it travels to UMass Lowell for a tri-match with Queens College at 12 p.m. Bryant University (16-14, 8-1 NE-10) will host Florida Southern tomorrow at 11 a.m. Dowling College (26-5, 8-0 ECC) will take on Florida Southern tomorrow at 3 p.m.