Men's Volleyball: Raiders fall in five set thriller at NCAA First Round

(Springfield, Mass.) The Rivier University Men's Volleyball season came to a close tonight as the Raiders were defeated in a thrilling five-set match against Lancaster Bible College in the NCAA Division III Tournament First Round held at Springfield College. The Raiders, who are ranked at #14 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaches Poll, finish the 2018 season with an overall record of 26-7.

Rivier fell by set scores of 25-27, 25-22, 25-21, 23-25 and 12-15.

Senior Grant Andler (Chicago, Ill.) led the offense with 15 kills and sophomore David Smith (Clinton, Ohio) added 11 kills for the Raiders. Senior setter Garrett Bucklin (Jamestown, R.I.) dished out 39 assists while scooping up 10 digs in his final contest and junior Dashaun Graham (Highland Falls, N.Y.) chipped in with nine total blocks and 11 kills. Senior Kyle Heidler (Hampstead, N.H.) picked up five digs in the loss.

The story of the game was LBC's Nate Miller, who complied a total of 41 kills and a .410 hitting percentage. Kaleb Ansell helped Miller as he finished with 63 assists and Kurt Maysilles led the defensive end with 13 digs.

Lancaster Bible moves on to face top-ranked Springfield College in the Quarterfinal round tomorrow night at 6pm inside the Blake Arena.