CHESTER, PA - Franklin & Marshall middle blocker Liz Earll (Sr., New Freedom, PA/Susquehannock) finished with 63 kills to earn All-Tournament honors as the Diplomats finished fourth at the 2004 Widener University Pioneer Volleyball Classic.

Versus Moravian College in the opening round, Earll tallied 13 kills, two solo blocks and two block assists while setter Jackie Skibbie (Jr., Darby, PA/Merion Mercy) added 48 assists, 13 digs and two service aces as the Diplomats knocked off the Greyhounds 3-2 (30-28, 30-32, 30-20, 21-30, 15-12).

Earll continued her hot streak against Rowan tallying 13 kills with a service ace, Skibbie chipped in 46 assists and 11 digs and Susan Taylor (Fr., The Woodlands, TX/John Cooper) added 11 kills, three solo blocks and three block assists as F&M fell 3-1 to the Professors to move into the "Silver" consolation round.

The match against Rowan marked the first time the Professors and Diplomats have met in volleyball since 1987 when Rowan was then known as Glassboro State.

Against Lycoming in the first consolation match, outside hitter Jenna Walck (Fr., Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) tallied 17 digs and four service aces to power the Diplomats to a 3-2 win (19-30, 30-20, 30-22, 25-30, 15-12). In addition to Walck, Earll registered 21 kills and four service aces and Skibbie compiled 50 assists, 20 digs and three service aces as Franklin & Marshall evened the all-time series against Lycoming at 3-3.

The Diplomats concluded the tournament against Moravian in the fourth place match as F&M overcame a game one loss to take the match 3-2 (24-30, 30-21, 30-32, 30-19, 15-12).

Against the Greyhounds, Earll netted 16 kills, three service aces, four solo blocks and four block assists to aid a 17 kill, five dig performance by outside hitter Meghan Baker (Fr., Glenville, PA/South Western) as F&M raised the program's all-time record against the 'Hounds to 22-15 and snapped a two match losing streak to Moravian.

The key to the match was the play of Skibbie who tallied 54 assists, 15 digs, three service aces, a solo block and three block assists.

Historically, the Diplomats second win over Moravian marked the sixth five game match and fifth five game victory of the season for Franklin & Marshall to a pair of new school records.

Franklin & Marshall (12-5, 4-1 Centennial Conference) will continue the season on October 12 at McDaniel College. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m.

Pool "B"
Franklin and Marshall 3, Moravian 2 (30-28, 30-32, 30-20, 21-30, 15-12)
Rowan 3, Franklin and Marshall 1

Consolation Bracket
Franklin and Marshall 3, Lycoming 2 (19-30, 30-20, 30-22, 25-30, 15-12)
Franklin and Marshall 3, Moravian 2 (24-30, 30-21, 30-32, 30-19, 15-12)