KUTZTOWN, P.A. (9/13/2024) – Franklin Pierce University Volleyball traveled to Kutztown, PA for the Shannon Sullivan Memorial Tournament. The Ravens defeated the host, Kutztown University, 3-2, and fell in a reverse sweep to the Purple Knights of Bridgeport University, 2-3.  

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

Game One: FPU 3 – Kutztown 2 
(25-18,19-25,25-17,16-25,15-13) 

• Kutztown led, 5-2, early in the first, but the Ravens would gain momentum, extending their lead to 11-6. Despite some resistance from Kutztown, with key kills, including back-to-back kills by Katholiki Koukia (Dodecanese, Greece), FPU continued to push forward, maintaining a consistent lead. FPU ultimately wins the set 25-18, with Annaka Lindstrom (Dudley, Mass.) delivering the final kill. 

• FPU opened set two with a 2-0 lead thanks to a service ace from Lindstrom. Both teams continued to exchange points, leading to a close game tied at 7-7. Kutztown started to break away at 15-13 on a service ace from Lexi McLanahan. Neither team led more than two during the rest of the second, before the Golden Bears took the lead for good after a 16-16 tie.  

• FPU takes an early lead at 2-0, but the Golden Bears quickly tie it up at 2-2. FPU starts to build a lead, reaching 19-12 after consistent blocks from Avery Theriault (West Hartford, Conn.), Martina Spackova (Bratislava, Slovakia) and Koukia. Kutztown would attempt a comeback, narrowing the gap to 22-15, but FPU would continue to capitalize on Kutztown's errors and secures a 25-17 victory, with Spackova delivering the final kill.  

• FPU jumped out with a 1-0 lead on a block from Spackova and Avery LeBlanc (Exeter, R.I.). Kutztown would take the lead and stretch it to 12-6. Despite FPU's attempt to mount a comeback, the Golden Bears maintained their advantage through steady kills from Bryanna Carter and Christina Lockett, eventually pulling ahead 19-13.  

• In the final set, the Ravens got off to a strong start, quickly taking a 7-1 lead behind four kills from Koukia. Kutztown began to claw their way back, closing the gap to 10-9 thanks to two kills and a service ace by Slye. FPU's lead would be reduced to just one point, but they managed to halt the momentum shift at 12-10. Kutztown, however, wasn't done yet, as Slye led a final push to tie the game at 13-13 with another kill. The Ravens pulled away in the final stretch, with LeBlanc and Lindstrom making crucial kills to seal the set 15-13, and the match 3-2.  

Game Two: FPU 2 – Bridgeport 3 
(25-23, 28-26, 19-25,15-25, 5-15)

• Bridgeport won the match on a reverse sweep as the Ravens led the first two sets 2-0.  

• FPU stormed out to an early lead in the set, with Koukia and Adrianna Reay (Bristol, Conn.) setting the tone offensively. A service ace from Kori Garnhart (Colorado Springs, Colo.) put FPU ahead 2-0. Key blocks from LeBlanc and Spackova, kept the momentum on FPU's side as they built a 7-2 advantage. The Purple Knights were led by Paola Hernandez who narrowed the gap to 16-13. However, errors plagued UB, and the Ravens capitalized, extending their lead to 20-18. A clutch block from Spackova sealed the set for FPU, 25-23.

• In a thrilling second set, FPU battled back from an early deficit to edge out Bridgeport 28-26. Late in the set, the score was tied at 24-24. Theriault and Lindstrom would combine for blocks to stifle Bridgeport's offense. The Purple Knights fought to stay alive, but the Ravens sealed the set on a Koukia kill.  

• In the third set, Franklin Pierce led initially 6-4, on kills from Koukia and Garnhart, but Bridgeport quickly tied the score and stayed in control. FPU attempted a late push, with kills from Theriault and Garnhart, closing the gap to 16-19. However, Bridgeport capitalized on FPU errors and continued their offensive pressure, sealing the set 25-19. Tomiello and Hernandez's key plays at the net helped UB force a fourth set. 

• The fourth set started evenly, with FPU and UB trading points, but Bridgeport quickly gained momentum with Jaden Drollinger leading the charge. Service aces by Ella Bowman and kills by Hernandez and Hailey Jessen pushed UB ahead 7-12. FPU struggled to close the gap despite some key plays from LeBlanc and Reay, but the Purple Knight's consistent pressure, particularly through Hernandez and Tomiello, proved too much. UB finished the set with a dominant 10-point lead, ensuring the match would be decided in the final set. 

• In the decisive fifth set, Bridgeport came out strong, quickly building a commanding lead. FPU started with an early kill by Koukia, but the Purple Knights responded with a balanced attack led by Jessen and Hernandez. A service ace by Bowman gave UB momentum as they pushed ahead 3-8. FPU managed a brief rally, with Reay and Theriault scoring, but Bridgeport's defense, particularly blocks by Hernandez and Lucia Tomiello, shut down FPU's efforts. Hernandez continued to dominate offensively, scoring multiple kills to widen the gap to 5-15, giving Bridgeport a comfortable lead and putting them on the brink of victory. 

INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT:  

• FPU would see Koukia lead the team with 18 kills in game one and 12 in game two of the day.  

• Lindstrom had 35 assists in each match, totaling 70 on the day.  

• The Ravens combined for 12 service aces across two matches. 

• Julia Felgenhauer (Bolivar, Ohio) led the way with 29 digs.  

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens take on Fairmont State on day two of the Shannon Sullivan Memorial Tournament, tomorrow. The match is set for 4 PM at Keystone Arena.