#12 Men's Volleyball drops a pair a tough contests out in Wisconsin

(Kenosha, Wis.) The #12 Rivier University Men's Volleyball team suffered a pair of tough losses today against Benedictine College and host Carthage College this afternoon at the Tarble Arena. With the losses, the Raiders fall to 8-9 overall on the season.

Game One: Benedictine (Ill.)University 3, #12 Rivier University 0 (Final)

Rivier pushed Benedictine to the limit in the first two sets but were unable to come away with a victory as the Eagles won all three sets by scores of 26-24, 26-24 and 25-22.

The Raiders were paced by senior Chris Markuson (Cupertino, Calif.) who hammered down 11 kills while recording 11 digs and three block assists. Junior Brendan Tutino (Manorville, N.Y.) also had a solid effort as he contributed 10 kills and three block assists of his own. Sophomore setter Tyler Blank (Rochester, N.Y.) registered yet another 30+ assist performance as he finished with 31 assist and he also led the team with 12 digs. Freshman Garrett Bucklin (Jamestown, R.I.) provided defensive help with 10 digs in the three set loss.

Game Two: #7 Carthage College 3, #12 Rivier University 0 (Final)

The final match of the Midwest trip for Rivier pitted them against Carthage College, who is currently ranked #7 in the country in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. The Raiders were swept in straight sets by scores of 25-12, 25-17 and 25-18.

Markuson once again led the team with eight kills and 13 digs in the contest while junior Matt Tutino (Manorville, N.Y.) added five kills as Rivier suffered their ninth loss of the season. Blank had 21 assists and freshman Matt Heckler (Simi Valley, Calif.) swung at a .375 clip with four kills and two total blocks in his limited action in the contest.

Rivier will return back home and enjoy the rest of Spring Break in the Granite State as they prepare to host GNAC foe, Albertus Magnus College in a 7pm match inside the friendly confines of the Muldoon Gymnasium on Tuesday, March 17.