Men's Volleyball falls in GNAC Championship to Lasell, 3-2

(Nashua, N.H.) The top seeded Rivier University Men's Volleyball team fell this afternoon against the visiting second seeded Lasell College Lasers in the GNAC Championship game by in five sets. With the loss, the Raiders drop their season record to 19-10 (13-3 GNAC). As for the Lasers, they improve their season record to 24-8 (12-4 GNAC).

Although the Raiders were unable to capture the GNAC Championship, they were still able to put forth a championship effort. Despite their defeat, the Raiders, who all season played with integrity and discipline, showed the conference that they are still one of the best in the country. This was an extremely close match that took a fifth set to decide the winner. The game began as most expected, with a Rivier victory.

Using their trademark communication and team work, the Raiders, who needed every last bit of effort to close out the set, were eventually able to edge out the Lasers by the score of 31-29. Rivier knew that the Lasers would be coming hard to dethrone them, and gave it their all to ensure it. The second set was a bit more difficult for the Raiders. Ultimately, they were slightly edged by the visiting Lasers by the close score of 25-22.

The Raiders went immediately back to their winning ways in the following set. Although the score was very close, and Rivier needed a big push at the very end, they still played very impressive in this set. For much of the year, the Raiders, who were favorites in most of their matchups, had a giant target on their back.

Everyone wanted to play the Raiders because defeating Rivier was no easy task. Time after time, teams from all over would come and give the Raiders a fight. When most teams would have crumbled under the intense pressure of having so many teams wanting to see them lose, the Raiders stood strong and remained tough. Rivier proved yet again that despite the Lasers attempts to throw them off their game, they would not be so easily phased. With a nice 29-27 set victory, the Raiders took the 2-1 lead into the third set.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, Lasell would continue to fight and claw at the Raider lead. Persistent and pesky, the Lasers were a constant annoyance to the Raiders. They refused to be overwhelmed, and refused to roll over and die. Ultimately, their persistence and refusal to back down, resulted in the 25-21 set victory to tie the game at 2-2.

Heading into the final set, both teams equally shared the momentum. With two set victories each, both the Raiders and Lasers needed to play their best set of volleyball all season in order to capture the GNAC Championship. The remaining set was extremely close, but, unfortunately for the Raiders, they came up just short as they were defeated 15-13. The win was the first GNAC Championship for the Lasers.