Markuson leads the list of Raiders on the All-GNAC Teams and Awards

(Nashua, NH) The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the 2012 Men's Volleyball All-GNAC teams and awards. Rivier College freshman Chris Markuson (Cupertino, CA) was named to the All-GNAC first team along with being chosen as the Player and Rookie of Year for the Conference.

Marksuon had a remarkable campaign for the Raiders in 2012. He was the team leader in kills with 357 as Rivier earned their 5th straight GNAC Championship and the overall #7 seed in the 2012 NCAA Men's Volleyball Tournament. Markuson also contributed with 23 service aces, 67 total blocks and 113 digs.

Joining Markuson on the All-GNAC First Team are senior Chris Convertito (Trumbull, CT) junior Steve Visentin (Cheshire, CT) and sophomore Aaron Almario (Alhambria, CA).

Convertito was also named the 2012 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year after he helped Rivier to a 26-8 overall record and a perfect 14-0 mark in GNAC play. He had a team high 205 digs while being the main libero and captain for the Raiders.

Visentin, who was also the GNAC Tournament MVP, had over 1,000 assists in 2012. He finished the year with 1,080 assists while also hitting at a .283 clip and recording 59 total blocks.

Almario laced 259 kills in just 83 sets this past season and had an impressive .382 hitting percentage. His 88 total blocks – 24 solo, 64 assist. This is the second straight season that Almario was named All-Conference as he was on the Third team last season.

Seniors Alex Xenidis (Shelton, CT) and Andrew Corwin (Framingham, MA) were selected to the All-GNAC Third Team. Xenidis had solid senior season for Coach Kolek as he dominated the net with 159 kills and 69 total blocks. Corwin had 123 and 36, respectively, but was all over the defensive side with 202 digs and had the team lead with 26 service aces.

Sophomore Daniel Elitharp (Eastport, NY) was honored by his teammates and selected as their representative on the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

The Men's Volleyball team will continue their run at a National Title this Friday evening when they take on #2 UC-Santa Cruz in Springfield, MA. Game time is set for 5:30 pm.