Raiders blank Wentworth to capture GNAC Regular Season Title

(Nashua, NH) The Rivier University Raiders Men's Volleyball team took care of business tonight as they wrapped up the overall #1 in the upcoming Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament with a 3-0 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology. Senior Steve Visentin (Cheshire, CT) paced the Raider offensive attack as he recorded 42 assists.

Tonight was the last regular season game inside the Muldoon Gymnasium for Visentin. The four year veteran has been named to the All-GNAC 1st Team and 3rd Team in his career along with being named the 2012 GNAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. He has amassed over 3,000 assists in three seasons as he was an outside hitter his freshman season in Raider Blue.

Junior Aaron Almario (Alhambra, CA) led the way for the Raiders as he knocked down 15 kills without an error on his way to recording a .789 hitting percentage. Sophomore Chris Markuson (Cupertino, CA) had 10 kills while classmate Shane Spellman (Norwich, CT) registered a .53 hitting percentage with 8 kills. Junior libero Matt Bynon (Burnt Hills, NY) was the defensive wizard as he had the game high with 11 digs. Spellman was the only other player to record double-digit digs with 10.

Wentworth was led by Mike Buonincontra who recorded 12 kills and a .450 hitting percentage. Rami Akouri and Zach Newhouse registered 13 digs combined while Tyler Moriarty had 32 assists.

The win improves the Raiders to 22-11 on the season with an unblemished 12-0 GNAC record. Rivier has now won 29 straight conference games. Wentworth falls to 17-9 overall and 8-4 in the GNAC.

Rivier will play their final regular season games on Saturday afternoon when they battle Emerson and Mount Ida in a GNAC Tri-Match held at Emerson College. Wentworth will also be in GNAC action on Saturday as they host Lasell College and Johnson and Wales University in a Tri-Match.

The Raiders will host the GNAC Semifinals which are set for next Thursday evening at 7pm inside the Muldoon Gymnasium.