Men's Volleyball: Raiders split tri-match at #1 Springfield

(Springfield, Mass.) The Rivier University Men's Volleyball team went 1-1 this evening in non-conference tri-match action hosted by Springfield College. The Raiders swept their way to victory over the Sage Colleges before being swept by the AVCA #1 team in the country, Springfield College.

Rivier, who saw their set win streak end at 18, are now 11-6 on the season while the Pride improve to 16-1 and the Gators fall to 7-10.

Game One: Rivier University 3, the Sage Colleges 0 (FINAL)

The Raiders were winners in the first game by set scores of 25-21, 25-19 and 25-18.

Senior setter Garrett Bucklin (Jamestown, R.I.) directed the offense to a .410 hitting percentage as he dished out 33 assists. Sophomore David Smith (Clinton, Ohio) hammered down a team-high 11 kills while senior Grant Andler (Chicago, Ill.) smashed down nine kills. Sophomore Cam Roth (Coventry, R.I.) registered a .615 hitting percentage with eight kills and both juniors Dashaun Graham (Highland Falls, N.Y.) and Khayen Yocca (Pittsburgh, Pa.) each recorded hitting percentages above .400. Junior Dahnny Rogers (Penfield, N.Y.) scooped up 11 digs along the back line for the Raiders.

The Sage Colleges saw Ryan Guyton reach the game-high with 12 kills and a .304 hitting percentage to led the Gators. Scott Sanders chipped in with seven kills as both Tyler Schnaible and Bailey Cecchi finished with six kills each. Ryan Jennings handed out 17 assists with Austin Laverty assisting on another 15 to guide the offense and Casey Fitzpatrick picked up a game-high 12 digs.

Game Two: #1 Springfield College 3, Rivier University 0 (FINAL)

Two of the Raiders' six losses this season have now come against the #1 team in the country and both have been straight set sweeps with the Pride claiming this one by scores of 25-18, 25-16 and 25-13. Springfield has now won an impressive 42 consecutive sets against NCAA Division III opponents.

Smith and Graham each totaled six kills to lead the Raiders in the final match of the evening with Buckilin handing out 19 assists. Senior Kyle Heidler (Hampstead, N.H.) was the dig leader with six and sophomore Francis Kokoros (Braintree, Mass.) swung at a .667 clip on two kills.

Springfiled was powered by Kenny Lawrence, who had 14 kills and a .478 hitting percentage. Sergio Figueroa Velez added nine kills and ten digs while Eli Gabriel Irizarry Pares collected five kills and 33 assists. Eli Irizarry Pares led the Pride with 11 digs.

Next up for the Raiders will be a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest against Lasell College on Thursday, March 1st. Game time is set for 7pm at the Muldoon Gymnasium. It will be the only contest for Rivier before Spring Break.