SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Franklin & Marshall Volleyball team hung on to a 3-2 win over Pomona-Pitzer in its final match of the Trinity Fall Classic. After winning the opening two sets, the Diplomats lost the next two frames before clinching the match in the fifth stanza.
F&M led for the better part of the first set, jumping out to a 7-3 lead to begin the frame. A 4-1 run for the Diplomats later on would create more separation, as F&M took a 17-11 advantage. However, the Sagehens managed to recover, using an 8-2 run to tie the score at 19-19. With Pomona-Pitzer then taking a 21-20 edge, the Diplomats won five of the final six points to clinch the set.
After the Sagehens opened the second stanza with a 12-11 advantage, F&M took its first lead of the set by winning three straight points. The Diplomats would not trail the rest of the way, and later distanced themselves from Pomona, 18-13. Though the Sagehens evened the score at 20-20, F&M scored five unanswered points to go ahead 2-0 in sets.
The Sagehens dominated to start the third frame, winning the first five points of the set. Pomona continued its strong opening by increasing its lead to 11-4. Shortly after, F&M used a 5-0 run to close the gap to 14-13. The Diplomats did not manage to get even with the Sagehens, however, as Pomona won four straight points of their own for an 18-13 advantage. After F&M staved off two set points at 24-20, Paige Mountanos registered a kill to close out the set for Pomona.
Following the first point of the fourth stanza, the Sagehens led for the rest of the set. Coming out of a timeout with Pomona leading 9-4, the Sagehens went on a 6-1 run to take a commanding 15-5 advantage. The Diplomats then won back-to-back points, but a 10-1 run for Pomona helped get the Sagehens level with F&M, 2-2.
In the decisive fifth set, Pomona held a 12-7 lead before three straight points from the Diplomats brought F&M to within two. After the Sagehens won the following point, the Diplomats scored five unanswered to take the match, 3-2.
F&M finished the Trinity Fall Classic with two wins in three contests. Saturday afternoon's leaders for the Diplomats included
Gianna Mangiamele with 12 kills,
Liah Perez with 22 assists and
Meredith Mangum with 29 digs. Mangum matched a career high against Pomona, which she set the previous evening.
F&M will return home, following nearly three weeks on the road, as it welcomes York (Pa.) to Mayser Center on Friday, September 22 at 7 p.m.
