Women's Volleyball earn Granite State Challenge Championship

(Keene, N.H.) The Rivier University Women's Volleyball team earned the impressive four game sweep at the Granite State Challenge this weekend. The two-day Granite State Challenge tournament features all of the New Hampshire NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball programs in a four match round robin format.

With the four game sweep, the Raiders have improved their overall record to 5-3.

Day One

Game One (@ Plymouth State): Rivier University 3, Keene State College 0 (Final)

Rivier got a 16 kill performance from junior Lauren Silverman (Chelmsford, Mass.) as they earned the victory by scores of 25-21, 25-20 and 25-23.

Silverman finished the game with a .364 hitting percentage and three total blocks. Junior Dana Mott (Medway, Mass.) added 10 kills and classmate Molly McCormack (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) had 9 kills in the win. Senior Emily O'Reilly (San Francisco, Calif.) provided 42 helpers while sophomore Bethany Trevino (Westminster, Colo.) controlled the back line with 18 digs. Senior Lyndsey Sweeney (Coventry, R.I.) also added 10 digs for the Raiders.

Game Two: Rivier University 3, Plymouth State University 2 (Final)

The Raiders took on the hosts Plymouth State University in their second game of the Granite State Challenge and fought all the way to the fifth set where they were able to capture the win. Rivier earned the victory with scores of 24-26, 25-22, 23-25, 25-8 and 15-9.

Mott was outstanding in this one as she hammered down 20 kills, a .318 hitting percentage and four total blocks over the five sets. McCormack was just as impressive as she added 16 kills, a .412 hitting percentage and 14 digs. Silverman and junior Jackie Pisecco (Chelmsford, Mass.) contributed 13 and 12 kills, respectively. Trevino was the defensive star as she had 21 digs. O'Reilly registered 47 assists and 16 digs in the win.

Day Two

Game Three (@Keene, N.H.): Rivier University 3, Colby-Sawyer College 2 (Final)

The Raiders opened up day two of the Granite State Challenge with another five set match, this time it was against Colby-Sawyer College. Rivier took the game by scores of 20-25, 25-20, 25-15, 22-25 and 15-8.

Silverman and Mott each had 14 kills and a .300+ hitting percentage as the both played all five sets. McCormack added 13 kills and 12 digs to bolster both the offense and defense with Pisecco providing additional support as she had 9 kills. O'Reilly helped direct the offense with another 40+ assist game as she finished with 41 and Trevino led the team with 19 digs. Sweeney and sophomore Madison Soucy (Tolland, Conn.) each had 11 digs in the five set win.

Game Four (@ Keene, N.H.): Rivier University 3, Daniel Webster College 0 (Final)

13 different Raiders saw action as the team completed the Granite State Challenge with a quick three set win over cross-town foe Daniel Webster College.

Freshman Hayley Macken (Clifton Park, N.Y.) had a solid two set game as she dished out 20 assists and 7 digs. Sophomores Erin Rosa (Cumberland, R.I.) and Alex Trevains (Litchfield, N.H.) each recorded kills in the contest while junior Chelsey Hussey (Lebanon, Conn.) knocked down 6 kills and had five digs for the Raiders. Trevino played in all three sets and registered another 15 digs to her impressive weekend total. Freshman Kuuipo Hoover (Dover, N.H.) also chipped in with three service aces.

Granite State Challenge Final Standings:

Rivier University 4-0Plymouth State University 3-1Colby-Sawyer College 1-3Daniel Webster College 0-4