QUEENS, N.Y. (September 8, 2019) – The Franklin Pierce University volleyball team wrapped up their opening weekend at the Long Island Invitational with a Sunday split against non-conference opponent and host Queens (N.Y.) College and Wilmington (Del.) University. The Ravens made quick work of the Knights beating them in straight sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-11) and ended the weekend tournament with a 3-1 (14-25, 25-27, 25-14, 23-25) defeat to the Wildcats. FPU heads back north to Rindge with a 3-1 record.

Game One: Ravens 3, Knights 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-11)

Senior middle hitter Abigail Garnhart (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led all players with a game-high 12 kills and she hit .556 in the match. Freshman right-side hitter Mariah Robles (West Covina, Calif.) tacked on 11 kills of her own. Classmate Ingrid Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.) tallied seven kills, a contest-best eight total blocks, and a .417 hitting percentage. As a team, the Crimson and Gray hit .292 in the match, had eight service aces and 15 total blocks. Sophomore defensive specialist Kennedy Garnhart (Colorado Springs, Colo.) notched four of the Ravens eight aces.

For Queens, Lauren Kehoe produced eight kills and four digs while Dee-Ana Mitchell turned in a seven kill and seven digs performance.

Late in the first set holding a 23-22 lead, the Ravens took a timeout after a span of five straight points by the hosts. The freshman duo of Robles and Lindstrom capped off the set for the Ravens at 25-22 with a right side mash and a middle swing that was blocked into the net by the Knights.

Pierce took a 4-3 lead when Lindstrom smoked the ball off a diving Knight defender. FPU immediately outscored Queens 5-1 over the next couple of serves with Kennedy Garnhart dropping in an ace to expand their edge to 9-4. Queens took a timeout responded by scoring four straight markers including two Genesis Soto aces to drop the margin to 9-8. The Knights tied the second set 11-11 a couple of serves later.

Following a Raven timeout, the teams traded points until FPU jumped back in front 17-14 off two kills and a Lindstrom and Robles dual block. Their run expanded to six straight points due to another two-player stuff by Lindstrom and senior outside hitter Jocelyn Moody (Biddeford, Maine) to lead 20-14. The Ravens net presence and strong service continued as Kennedy Garnhart notched another ace to make the second set 23-16. FPU took a commanding two-set lead with a 25-21 lead.

The Ravens came out firing in the third set hurdling out to a 7-1 lead off two duo blocks in a row. They continued to tack on points to complete the sweep.

Game Two: Wildcats 3, Ravens 1 (14-25, 25-27, 25-14, 23-25)

Lindstrom carried the load on offense producing 11 kills and two total blocks. Abigail Garnhart chipped in six kills, one ace, and two blocks. Junior setter Mary Pease (East Haddam, Conn.) dished out 37 assists and had five digs while junior libero Ellie Ivanova (Sofia, Bulgaria) paced the Ravens with 12 digs.

WilmU had two players with double-digit kills including Dorie Moore who killed off 14 attack attempts and produced on the defensive end with seven digs. Bailey Andrews notched 13 kills and three blocks for the designated home team.

The Wildcats took the first set from the Ravens hitting a robust .438. Trailing 3-0 in the second set the Ravens tied the battle at 3-3 using a Robles kill, a Robles and Abigail Garnhart block and a bad set. A couple of serves later, Wilmington took a four-point 12-8 lead off a Mandy Behiels ace. The Ravens responded to tie the game 12-12 using two Ellie Ivanova aces. Wilmington steadied their game and hit .300 in the second set to take a commanding 2-0 match lead.

Pierce would not go down without a fight as they hit .333 in the third set to cut into their deficit at 2-1 before Wilmington capped off the four-set victory.

FPU heads back out on the road next Friday and Saturday for the Wildcat Invitational hosted by Wilmington (Del.) University.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://fpuravens.com). 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). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://fpuravens.com/store). You can also follow the volleyball program on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPURavensVB) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpuravensvb/).