Ray chips in double-double

RINDGE, N.H. (November 5, 2011) – Sophomore middle Katie Jackson (Centennial, Colo.) put down a match-best 14 kills while hitting .433 with just one error on Thursday night to lead the Franklin Pierce University volleyball team to a 3-0 win over American International in Northeast-10 Conference play at the Fieldhouse. Sophomore setter Stephanie Svorinic (Scottsdale, Ariz.) dished out 35 assists and added 13 digs to pick up a double-double in the victory.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 12-13 (6-8 Northeast-10), while American International falls to 14-16 (9-5 Northeast-10). The Ravens swept to the victory in symmetrical fashion, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23.

After taking the first set, Franklin Pierce found itself trailing in the second set as late as 22-20, as AIC looked to even the match at 1-1. After a kill by sophomore middle Ashley Bruce (Hampton Falls, N.H.) and an ace by freshman outside hitter Catie Swiderski (Rocky Point, N.Y.) knotted the set at 22-22, AIC senior middle Taila de Souza put away a kill to inch the Yellow Jackets back in front. Sophomore right side Natasha Ray (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jackson would pick up back-to-back kills to push Franklin Pierce out in front, 24-23, before teaming for block to win set point and give the Ravens a 2-0 lead.

For the Ravens on the evening, Jackson and Ray (10 kills) both finished in double digits offensively, while Swiderski added eight more. Though getting only nine attempts, freshman middle Jocelyn Smith (Groton, Conn.) hit an efficient .333 while picking up four kills. As a team, Franklin Pierce served up eight aces in the match, led by four from sophomore libero Lauren Miller (Alexandria, Ind.).

Defensively, Miller's 20 digs led four Franklin Pierce players in double digits, as she was joined by Swiderski (14), Ray (13) and Svorinic (13), with the latter two completing double-doubles. At the net, both Jackson and Ray collected two block assists.

For American International, sophomore middle Blair Havron was the only player in double figures, as she hit .417 while putting away 12 kills. Behind her, freshman right side Vanessa Ruiz contributed nine kills, while senior outside hitter Ellisha Terry and sophomore outside hitter Siri Ngundam added seven each. Terry served as the primary setter for the AIC attack, handing out 29 assists. Freshman middle Phoebe Lettington struck for three aces on the night.

Defensively for the Yellow Jackets, sophomore libero Caitlin Connelly led all players with 21 digs, while junior defensive specialist Seferina Starks added 13 of her own. Up front, Ngundam notched two blocks (one solo).

The Ravens return to the court on Saturday, Nov. 5, when they conclude their season by hosting Assumption in a Northeast-10 Conference contest. First serve is set for 1 p.m. at the Fieldhouse.

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).