Sept. 1, 2007

Box Score

HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall's volleyball team opened the season with a weekend split, winning matches over Dickinson and Gallaudet before dropping to Division III powers #1 Juniata and Baldwin-Wallace on Saturday afternoon.

F&M defeated Dickinson 3-1 (30-27, 30-24, 20-30, 32-30) in the season-opener for both teams, and followed that with a 3-0 sweep of Gallaudet (30-26, 30-25, 32-30). The Diplomats rallied from a 29-25 deficit in the final game to complete the sweep of the Bison. All-American Margot Phelan recorded nine kills and 14 digs in the match with Gallaudet. She had 10 kills and 10 digs in the Dickinson win.

Maritza Fair put up 12 kills, 17 digs, and on assisted block in the win over Dickinson. Jenna Walck posted 12 digs in each of Friday night's matches. Valerie Pusateri recorded 17 assists against Gallaudet, while Pamela Horner recorded nine.

Saturday saw F&M fall in a pair of 3-0 sweeps. The nation's top team, Juniata, held the Diplomats under 14 points in two of the match's three games, winning 30-13, 30-22, 30-14. Walck recorded 13 digs in the loss, while Pusatrei posted 10 assists.

That effort was followed by a 30-21, 30-19, 30-24 loss to Baldwin-Wallace. Phelan and Fair each recorded 10 kills, whith Phelan getting credit for 11 digs. Pusateri had 25 assists and 13 digs. Danielle Diamond recorded seven kills.

Franklin & Marshall starts the season at 2-2. The Diplomats are idle until Wednesday, September 12, when F&M opens its Centennial season with Washington College. That contest is set for 7:00 p.m. in the Mayser Center.