Ravens visit AIC on Tuesday night

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (October 29, 2011) – Sophomore libero Lauren Miller (Alexandria, Ind.) led the team with 16 digs on Saturday morning, though the Franklin Pierce University volleyball team was defeated, 3-0, by Pace at Goldstein Fitness Center. Freshman outside hitter Melanie Pavels hit .312 and posted a 12-kill, 12-dig double-double to lead the way for Pace.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 11-13 (5-8 Northeast-10), while Pace improves to 18-8 (8-4 Northeast-10). The Setters swept to the victory by set scores of 25-15, 25-16 and 25-20.

For the Ravens, freshman outside hitter Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) and sophomore middle Ashley Bruce (Hampton Falls, N.H.) picked up eight kills apiece to lead the offense, with Bruce hitting .400 over 20 attempts without an error. Sophomore middle Katie Jackson (Centennial, Colo.) chipped in seven kills as the offense ran through the set of sophomore Stephanie Svorinic (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who dished out 25 assists. Swiderski served up three aces on the afternoon.

Defensively, Miller led three Ravens in double digits, as sophomore defensive specialist Michelle Marguette (North Kingstown, R.I.) picked up 13 digs and sophomore right side Natasha Ray (Colorado Springs, Colo.) added 11 more.

For Pace, junior middle Tamilee Webb joined Pavels in double digits with 10 kills of her own while hitting a match-best .562 (minimum 10 attempts) with one error in 16 attempts. Junior outside hitter Nora Rugova hit .214 while pitching in nine kills. The trio worked off of senior setter Shea Hansen, who notched a match-best 36 assists and added three aces along the way.

Defensively, junior libero Elyse Rowland led all players with 20 digs, while senior defensive specialist Ursula Vero (14 digs) joined Rowland and Pavels in double digits.

The Ravens return to the court on Tuesday, Nov. 1, when they travel to American International for a Northeast-10 Conference match. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Butova Gymnasium in Springfield, Mass. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Saturday, Nov. 5 against Assumption at 1 p.m.

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).