SELINSGROVE, Pa. – A tough Susquehanna defense proved to be too much to overcome for Franklin & Marshall on Wednesday night, as the Diplomats fell 3-0 to the River Hawks in nonconference volleyball action. The loss, F&M's first of the season, dropped the Diplomats to 7-1 on the year, while Susquehanna improved to 7-2.

The River Hawks wasted little time getting ahead, jumping out to an 11-5 lead in the first. F&M stuck around at 17-13, but a late 6-1 Susquehanna run saw the hosts ease to a 25-16 win in the first set.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with the River Hawks taking an 11-6 lead early. A kill by Ellie Ezekiel kept the Diplomats close at 12-9, but a 13-2 run from Susquehanna gave them the second set 25-11.

It was F&M that took a slim advantage early in the third set, holding leads of 3-1 and 4-2. A kill from Ezekiel gave the Diplomats an 8-7 edge, but an 8-0 run from Susquehanna returned the momentum to the hosts. F&M never got closer than seven in the remaining points, falling 25-16 in the set and 3-0 in the match.

Sarah Landry led the Diplomat hitters with seven kills against a River Hawk defense that recorded one solo block and eight block assists on the night.

Mary Leneweaver paced the defense with 17 digs, while Christine Yoo added three block assists.

F&M returns home on Friday for the F&M Scramble, taking on Eastern at 6:00 p.m. and Salisbury at 8:00 p.m.