Men's Volleyball: Raiders remain perfect in GNAC; down Lasell 3-1

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Men's Volleyball team wrapped up the first half of their season this evening with a four-set victory of visiting Lasell College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest held inside the Muldoon Gymnasium. The win bumps the Raiders' overall record to 12-6 with a spotless 4-0 mark against the conference while the Lasers fall to 2-12 overall, 1-2 in the GNAC.

Rivier, now winners in 7 of their last 8 contests, won by set scores of 25-23, 25-13, 23-25 and 25-11.

Senior Grant Andler (Chicago, Ill.) led the way offensively for the Raiders as the 6-foot-6 outside hitter hammered down a team-high 13 kills while also totaling four blocks. Junior Dashaun Graham (Highland Falls, N.Y.) was just as impressive along the net as he combined to record six total blocks to go along with his ten kills and sophomore David Smith (Clinton, Ohio) added nine kills and twelve digs. Senior Garrett Bucklin (Jamestown, R.I.) directed the offense with 21 assists and junior libero Dahnny Rogers (Penfield, N.Y.) topped Smith by scooping up 13 digs. Khayen Yocca (Pittsburgh, Pa.) hit an impressive .727 on the night with eight kills in the win.

Lasell saw junior Nathan Gallo (North Providence, R.I.) smack down eight kills with a .353 hitting percentage and sophomore Scott Sterenbery (Oceanside, N.Y.) racked up seven kills in the loss. Junior setter Andy Henriquez (Lawrence, Mass.) was the assist leader with 28 helpers and classmate Jordan Aprea (Newington, Conn.) collected 10 digs along the backline for the Lasers.

The Raiders will enjoy some time away from the court as the University enters its annual Spring Break week. The next scheduled matchup for Rivier will be on March 17th as they travel to Weston, Mass. for a tri-match with Regis College and Pine Manor College. Game time is set for 12pm. Lasell, meanwhile, will host MIT and Eastern Mennonite in a non-conference tri-match on Saturday, March 3rd.