LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall volleyball team remained undefeated in Centennial Conference play with a four-set win against Ursinus on Wednesday evening. The Diplomats (18-3, 6-0 CC), a team receiving votes in the latest AVCA Poll, dropped the opening set in extra points but rallied to take the next three against the visiting Bears (11-9, 2-4 CC).

Gianna Mangiamele had a huge night for the Diplomats with 18 kills in 31 attempts as she hit .452 during the conference victory. Reigning AVCA National Player of the Week Coco Shultz and reigning Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week Avery Grantham each added 12 kills, with Grantham hitting .556 in addition to four blocks, and six service aces to match Mangiamele at a team-high 20.5 points. Mya Anderson additionally accounted for double digit points as she had seven kills, one solo block, and four block assists.

The first set appeared as though it was headed in the Diplomats' favor when Grantham stepped to the service line and helped her side run off five straight points to put the match at 24-18. However, Ursinus countered that with eight of its own to go up early with the 26-24 set victory. The Diplomats and Bears were deadlocked at 15-all during the second set before another strong service from Grantham netted the team a 19-16 advantage. The Diplomats pushed that lead to 23-17 and would not relent this time as kills from Anderson and Carly Campbell leveled the match at one game each.

Franklin & Marshall hit .458 during the third set for its highest game average of the night with 14 kills against just three errors. The Diplomats never trailed in that set and were leading 12-4 and eventually 22-10 before putting themselves on the brink of victory with a 25-13 third game victory. Ursinus was already trailing 13-10 in the fourth before Melissa Benkowitz stepped to the service line. That extended the F&M lead to 17-11 before the hosts cruised to the 25-19 final set.

The Diplomats finished with 12 service aces as a team, with Shultz adding three and Mikayla Smith contributing two throughout the winning effort. Liah Perez and Campbell both eclipsed the 20-assist mark, with 27 and 22 respectively. As a team, the Diplomats finished with 10 blocks and had a 53-46 advantage in digs. Benkowitz led F&M with 13 digs, while Shultz recorded a double-double with 11 digs in addition to her 12 kills.

Volleyball continues Centennial Conference play this Saturday with a trip to Haverford. That match will be a 4 p.m. scheduled first serve.