Men's Volleyball: The Raiders remain perfect in GNAC with win over Wildcats

Story written and posted by Hayden Barbosa, Rivier University Assistant Sports Information Director

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Men's Volleyball team took care of business this evening on the road at Johnson & Wales as they defeated the Wildcats, 3-1 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest. The Raiders are now 8-2 on the year with a perfect 4-0 mark in the GNAC while the Saints fall to 9-9 overall, 3-1 GNAC.

Rivier was victorious by set scores of 22-25, 25-20, 25-23 & 25-23.

Seniors David Smith (Clinton, OH) led the charge as he hammered down 12 kills and Francis Kokoros hit at a .304 clip on ten kills and three aces.  The Raiders also leaned on the power of two sophomore hitters Kristjan Cortez (Fremont, Cali.) and Sokunbuth Ly (Lowell, Mass).  Cortez tallied nine kills while Ly contributed eight on the night.  Senior setter Pedro Campos accumulated 33 assists and remains at the top of the GNAC leader board with 9.35 assists per set and totals an impressive 243 assists to date.

Johnson and Wales was paced by two sophomores Jack Pincince (South Kingstown, R.I.), who had 20 kills and Ben Sandt (East Northport, N.Y.) handed out 33 assists and scooped up 11 digs. 

While the Wildcats kept it close in all four sets, it was the Raiders collective defending that allowed its attack to prove its potency.  Senior libero Cam Roth (Coventry, R.I.) who was just named GNAC Defensive Player of the Week last week, scooped up ten digs.  In addition, Ly collected 11 digs and three blocks and Smith chipped in nine digs and three blocks.  Sophomore Quinn Foglia (Remsenburg, N.Y.) also denied the Wildcats of seven scoring opportunities with a team high total of seven blocks.  Foglia currently sits on the top of the GNAC leader board for blocks per set at 1.18 after tonight's performance.

Today will be another challenge, perhaps the Raiders toughest yet as they'll host the No. 1 team in the country, Springfield College Pride (11-1).  If the Raiders fate has its way, they should walk away with a win.  Looking back at last year's history between the two programs. The Raiders lost to the Pride in their first meeting at home then less than a week met in Springfield to retaliate and walk away with a win.  The two programs met yet again in the NCAA Quarterfinals and the Raiders season ended there.  That said, revenge will be sought tonight a 7PM in the Muldoon Gymnasium as the two programs meet again.