Live Free or Die Invitational - Day Two Recap/Results

Game One: SUNY-New Paltz 3, Rivier University 0 (Final)

Game Two: SUNY-New Paltz 3, Endicott College 0 (Final)

Game Three: Rivier University 3, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 0 (Final)

(Nashua, NH) The second day of competition in the 2013 Live Free or Die Invitational was action packed, despite each game ending in a 3-0 decision. Unranked, but receiving votes, SUNY-New Paltz walked into the Muldoon Gymnasium and put themselves on the map as they dispatched #7 Rivier University in the first match of the day before outlasting a tough Endicott College team to remain undefeated on the season. The third game of the afternoon featured a pair of AVCA Pre-Season Top 15 squads in the Raiders and #9 MIT. Rivier was able to edge out a 25-23 decision in the first set before rolling to a clean sweep of the Engineers.

Game One: SUNY-New Paltz 3, Rivier University 0 (Final)

The Raiders were once again ousted in the opening contest of the day as the SUNY-New Paltz Hawks took three straight sets by scores of 25-16, 25-16 and 25-15 as the second day of action in the 2013 Live Free or Die Invitational began.

Hawks freshman Tim Ferriter (Rochester, NY) was the standout player of the match as he was able to recorded a .478 hitting percentage to go along with his game-high 13 kills and 8 digs. Junior Brian Smith (Massapequa, NY) had a solid afternoon in the back line as he led the team with 10 digs. Freshman Christopher Hussman (Massapequa, NY) converted six of his nine attempts into kills in the win.

On the other side of the net, the Raiders were paced by junior Terrance Matatall (Danville, NH) who contributed 5 kills. Sophomore Chris Markuson (Cupertino, CA) added 4 kills while senior Steve Visentin (Cheshire, CT) and junior Aaron Almario (Alhambria, CA) had 3 kills apiece. Junior libero Matt Bynon (Burnt Hills, NY) was the defensive star as he led the team with 8 digs and Visentin had 14 of the squad's 17 assists on the day.

Game Two: SUNY-New Paltz 3, Endicott College 0 (Final)

In the end, it was SUNY-New Paltz who walked away with the victory however it was a hard fought one as the first two sets were decided by a total of five points. The Hawks improved to 5-0 on the season and captured the 2013 Live Free or Die Invitational Crown in the process as they downed the Gulls 25-23, 25-22 and 25-14.

Ferriter finished the day exactly as he started as the freshman delivered another solid game in the second match. He was 12-for-24 on the offensive front, including a service ace, and had four digs. Classmate Christian Smith (Massapequa, NY) had a double-double as he recorded 18 assists and 10 digs – both game highs.

For Endicott, they were led by junior Josh Anderson (La Canada, CA) who had 10 kills and a .429 hitting percentage. Freshman Tyler Bacon (Cypress, CA) registered 10 assists while senior Brandon Lowe (Malibu, CA) was the dig leader with 6.

Game Three: Rivier University 3, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 0 (Final)

The Rivier Raiders saved their best for last as they knocked down #9 Massachuestts Institute of Technology, 3-0 in the final game of the 2013 Live Free or Die Men's Volleyball Invitational.

As soon as the first whistle blew, the Raiders were able to get on a hot streak and ride it through. Both Markuson and Matatall led the team with 12 kills but it was Matatall that went 12-for-15 to record an outstanding .800 hitting percentage. Almario was right behind the pair as he finished with 9 kills and 2 block solos. Freshman Nick Ochoa (Whittier, CA) and sophomore Shane Spellman (Norwich, CT) combined for 18 digs – 10 and 8 respectively – to secure a rock solid defense that totaled 35 in the match. Visentin finished with 37 assists as the Raiders ran their 2013 record back to .500 at 2-2.

MIT played well in the first set as they dropped that decision by 2 points. However the next two sets they were on the short end both times 25-15 and 25-19.

Senior Matt Hohenberger (St. Louis, MO) was the team leader in kills with 12 and junior Paul Syta (Fairpoint, NY) contributed with 28 assists. Syta also finished with 10 digs in the loss.

Post Invitational Awards, Champions Crowned

After all 12 matches were completed, the 'Live Free or Die Invitational' Selection Committee announced their All-Invitational Team. Each school had at least one representative with the Invitational Champion having two selections.

SUNY-New Paltz was named the Invitational Champion on the third tie-breaker as both the Hawks and fellow Empire State comrade, Baruch College were undefeated. The third tie breaker came down to the school's set record in the Invitational games. New Paltz finished with a 12-2 set record compared to Baruch's 12-4.

New Platz' Christian Smith was named the Invitational's Most Valuable Player as the freshman recorded 21 kills over the four wins. The Massapequa, NY native also registered 61 assists, 17 digs and 8 total blocks.

Other members of the All-Invitational Squad are Terence Matatall (Rivier), Casey Monahan (Daniel Webster), Tim Ferriter (New Paltz), Scott Standring (Baruch), Matt Hohenberger (MIT) and Josh Anderson (Endicott).