Men's Volleyball: Rivier blanks Johnson & Wales, 3-0

(Providence, R.I.) The Rivier University Men's Volleyball team earned their fourth consecutive win this evening as they took a quick tough three-set match at Johnson & Wales University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference competition. The win propels the Raiders' overall record to 15-8 with a 6-1 league mark while the Wildcats stumble to 14-12 overall, 3-4 in the GNAC.

Rivier won the three sets by scores of 25-23, 25-23 and 25-20.

Senior setter Tyler Blank (Rochester, N.Y.) guided the offense to a tune of a .352 hitting percentage as he dished out 42 assists and junior Matt Heckler (Simi Valley, Calif.) was the beneficiary as he belted down a team-high 12 kills and .556 hitting percentage. Both senior Ian Wolski (Westfield, Mass.) and junior Grant Andler (Chicago, Ill.) reached the double-digit kill plateau as they recorded 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Junior libero Garrett Bucklin (Jamestown, R.I.) scooped up 10 digs along the back line while sophomore Dahnny Rogers (Penfield, N.Y.) picked up six digs of his own in the win. Wolski also finished with three total blocks including two block solos for Rivier.

Sophomore Donovan Kelley (Encinitas, Calif.) led the way for the Wildcats as he totaled eight kills and a .438 hitting percentage. Freshman Zach Turner (Coventry, R.I.) was just as good as he hammered down seven kills and a .700 hitting percentage as sophomore Cameron Ponce (San Jose, Calif.) handed out 26 helpers on the night. Sophomore Alex Seda (San Juan, P.R.) was the team's dig leader with eight.

Rivier will enjoy a day in between matches as they will return to GNAC action on Thursday evening with a 7pm contest at Emmanuel College. Johnson & Wales will also be in conference action when they return to the court as they travel to Newton, Mass. for a GNAC Tri-Match with Wentworth at Mount Ida College on Saturday afternoon.