Rivier Opens 2011 With Win Over Elmira

Nashua, NH – In the first match of the 2011 season, senior outside hitter Jared Andreozzi put up 22 kills in a 3-1 win over first year program Elmira College.

The Raiders came out flying and jumped out to a 2-0 lead with set scores of 25-13 and 25-19 and looked to be in control of the match. Elmira stepped up their play to take the third set 22-25 before Rivier regrouped to win the 4th and final stanza 25-22. Senior All American Jared Andreozzi led all Raiders scoring a match high 22 kills while hitting for a .378 clip. The 6'4 outside hitter narrowly missed a double-double with 9 digs and also put up 3 blocks. Middle blocker Alex Xenidis recorded a match high 8 blocks while setter Steve Visentin dished out 28 assists in just 3 sets. Pin hitters John Furka and Andrew Paine put down 7 and 6 kills respectively and back row players Drew Corwin and Steve Wood combined for 7 digs.

Elmira was led by freshman Eric Sandmann who registered 13 kills in the first collegiate match of his career while fellow freshman Ryan Gelenitis dropped 10 kills and picked up 4 digs. Michael Vellutato had 28 assists in his first collegiate match to run the Soaring Eagles offense.

Elmira will take on Endicott College in the final match of the night before coming back in the morning to take on Wentworth Institute of Technology on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. Rivier will take on Wentworth in the 12:00 Game and then wait for Endicott to come back for the 4:30 match on Sunday.