#1 Raiders tame #4 Wildcats, return to GNAC Championship Game

(Nashua, NH) The Rivier University Men's Volleyball team continued their quest for six straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championships as they eliminated the fourth seeded Johnson and Wales University Wildcats this evening, 3-0 in the Semi-Final match up.

The top seeded Raiders took the three straight sets by scores of 25-19, 25-13 and 25-15.

Rivier was led by junior Aaron Almario (Alhambra, CA) who recorded 10 kills on 15 attempts and a .467 hitting percentage. Classmate Terence Matatall (Danville, NH) had an impressive showing as the 6-7 middle hitter registered a .667 hitting percentage with 8 kills and 0 errors (12 attempts). Sophomores Chris Markuson (Cupertino, CA) and Sam Kazlas (Allentown, PA) added 8 kills and 6 kills, respectively. Senior Steve Visentin (Cheshire, CT) added 28 assists while junior Matt Bynon (Burnt Hills, NY) collected a game high, 7 digs. Freshman Nick Ochoa (Whittier, CA) also contributed 6 digs in the semi-final win for Rivier.

Shawn Kennedy (West Barnstable, MA) led the way for Johnson and Wales as the junior registered 10 kills on 20 attempts. Sophomore J.J. Bessette (Coventry, RI) collected 22 assists and both Kennedy and sophomore Lupe Perez Valle (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) each had five digs. Sophomore Matt Jenkins (Damascus, MD) also chipped in 7 kills and freshman Ryan Kennedy (West Barnstable, MA) added 4 kills in the season ending loss.

The Raiders will now move on to play the second seeded Emmanuel College Saints in the 2013 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Game on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1pm. This will be the sixth straight GNAC title game for the Raiders. Rivier is 5-0 in the Championship match, dating back to the inception of GNAC Men's Volleyball.