The Franklin Pierce University volleyball team bested Northeast-10 Conference opponent Bentley University 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 20-25, 25-22) on Tuesday evening during the team’s Dig Pink game in The Fieldhouse. With the victory, the Ravens improve to 7-13, 3-5 NE-10 and the loss drops Bentley to 9-14, 6-3 NE-10.
Abigail Sonuga had a monster game as she carried the team’s offensive and defensive effort with a season-high 15 kills, a .538 hitting percentage, and five total blocks, including the match clinching stuff in the fourth set.
Katie Leidhold chipped in 12 kills, 13 digs, two service aces, two assists and one block. Danielle Varricchio added 10 kills, seven digs, two service aces and one assist. Hannah Runge dished out a game-high 48 assists in the teams win.
The Ravens led the match 2-0 before Bentley took the third set 25-20 which set up an important fourth set. The Falcons had a 4-1 lead early on thanks to a Xio Lopp kill. FPU battled back with four consecutive points with Varricchio serving to go up 5-4.
Point swapping ensued before the Ravens used a 6-1 scoring binge to take a 16-14 lead over the guests. The hosts were up ahead late until a Bentley 3-0 mini run tied the contest at 21 all on an Isabella Perez service ace which forced the Ravens to take a timeout.
After the stoppage in play a Lauren Van Buren kill from Allie Rotkin put Bentley back into the driver’s seat up 22-21. Madison Klusendorf answered Van Buren with a kill of her own to tie up the score once again.
The Falcons promptly took a timeout hoping the Ravens wouldn’t gain any momentum from Klusendorf’s kill, but their strategy didn’t work as the hosts scored the final three points to take the match.
The Crimson and Grey return to the Fieldhouse on Thursday when they host Southern Connecticut State in a 7 p.m. NE-10 contest.