Miller, Ray land on All-Tournament Team

Box Score vs. Massachusetts Lowell
Box Score vs. Post 

LOWELL, Mass. (September 10, 2011) – Sophomore middle Natasha Ray (Colorado Springs, Colo.) notched 13 kills and 11 digs while hitting .367 on Saturday afternoon to lead the Franklin Pierce University volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep of Post on the second day of the River Hawk Classic, hosted by Massachusetts Lowell at Costello Gym. Earlier in the day, the Ravens dropped a 3-1 decision to the host River Hawks.

With the win, Franklin Pierce moves to 3-4 (0-0 Northeast-10). Against Massachusetts Lowell, the Ravens took the first set, 25-23, before the River Hawks took the match with consecutive set wins of 25-15, 25-22 and 25-20. Against Post, Franklin Pierce swept through the match at 25-20, 25-13 and 25-12.

For their efforts over three matches on the weekend, both Ray and sophomore libero Lauren Miller (Alexandria, Ind.) were both selected to the All-Tournament Team.

In the first match of the day, Ray was among team leaders on both sides of the net, as she hit .258 and piled up a match-best 13 kills to go with 17 digs to record her second straight double-double. She was the only Raven in double digits offensively, though freshman outside hitter Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) added eight kills of her own. The pair worked off the set of sophomore Stephanie Svorinic (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who dished out 31 assists.

Defensively, Miller tallied 21 digs to lead all players, and it marked the second time this season she topped 20 digs. At the net, Ray and sophomore middle Katie Jackson (Centennial, Colo.) collected a pair of block assists each.

For Massachusetts Lowell, senior middle Lea Freeman was the only player in double digits, as she produced 12 kills, though three other River Hawks chipped in eight kills each. Junior setter Kristina Wiltjer handed out a match-high 38 assists. Defensively, Wiltjer added a team-best 14 digs to finish her double-double, while sophomore defensive specialist Carolyn Eddy and freshman outside hitter Hannah Rey added 12 digs each. Senior middle Trina Carroll proved to be dominant up front with eight block assists.

Later in the day, the Ravens hit .325 and held Post to just 29 kills and an .098 attack percentage to notch the three-set win. Offensively, Ray led all players with 13 kills, while Jackson added eight of her own without an error over 17 swings to hit .471. Svorinic dished out a match-high 33 assists.

On the other side of the ball, Ray added 11 digs to complete her second double-double of the day, while Miller led all players with 13 digs. Swiderski showed her ability as an all-around threat against the Eagles, as she finished with five kills, seven digs and a pair of blocks.

For Post, sophomore middle Belinda Snider led the way with nine kills and senior outside hitter Kelli Reynolds added seven of her own. The pair worked off the set of senior Taylor Doyle, who recorded 22 assists. Defensively for the Eagles, sophomore libero Monica Aristizabal chalked up 12 digs.

The Ravens return to the court on Friday, Sept. 16, when they travel to C.W. Post for a non-conference contest. Match time is set for 7 p.m. at Pratt Recreation Center in Brookville, N.Y. Franklin Pierce's first home match is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24 against New Haven at 1 p.m. at the Fieldhouse in Rindge.

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).