2015 Live Free or Die Invitational, Day Two: Men's Volleyball sweeps Gulls

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier Men's Volleyball team defeated the Endicott College Gulls by the score of 3-0 in the final game of the Live Free or Die Invitational this afternoon in the Muldoon Gymnasium. With the win, the Raiders improve to 2-1 on the season, while the loss drops Endicott to 1-6 on the season.

The first set was a tight one for the Raiders. After being defeated in their first two games of the Live Free or Die Invitational, the Endicott Gulls seemed to have come alive for this game. The Gulls appeared to be a completely different team than what we had seen in the previous matchups. Endicott communicated well, executed well, and ultimately gave the higher ranked Raiders some trouble.

Even though the Gulls played significantly better in the first set of this game, the Raiders were still the much better team in this one, repelling the Gul attack and stealing the opening set by the score of 25-21. The second set began with a hot start by the Raiders, as they knocked home 4 quick kills. Despite the quick start, the Gulls fought back, eventually tying the set at 10, then taking the lead 11-10. At times the Raiders looked frustrated, primarily due to the loud chants streaming from the Endicott bench. To say that the Gulls were getting under the skin of the Raiders in this one would be an understatement. Rivier took the second set 25-22.

Finally in the 3rd set, the Raiders did what was expected of them, mauling the Gulls 25-15 en route to a 3 set sweep of Endicott. The Raiders, clearly anxious to put an end to the rowdy Gull sideline banter, used impressive power and accuracy to quickly put away the visitors. The win capped a 2-1 Live Free or Die Invitational for the Raiders.

Rivier had great performances turned in by Chris Markuson (Cupertino, Calif.) who recorded a game high 9 kills, Ian Wolski (Westfield, Mass.) who added an additional 7 kills, and Tyler Blank (Rochester, N.Y.) who had a game high 25 assists.

Endicott had great performances turned in by John Osborne (Freehold, N.J.) as he led the team with 5 kills. Another stand out for the Endicott Gulls was freshman outside hitter Try Riorden (Fairport, N.Y.) who was the lead assister with 15.

For their next contest, the Rivier Men's Volleyball team will travel to Union, N.J. to take on the Stevenson College Mustangs. This game is scheduled for Friday, February 6th at 8:00pm. For the Endicott College Gulls, they will next play Regis College Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00pm.