Women's Volleyball sweeps NYU Invitational; Macken named M.O.P.

(New York, N.Y.) The Rivier University Women's Volleyball team began their 2016 season over the Labor Day Weekend with 4 wins in the NYU Invitational at Hunter College. Sophomore setter Hayley Macken (Clifton Park, N.Y.) was named the Invitational's Most Outstanding Player while senior Lauren Silverman (Chelmsford, Mass.) was named to the All-Invitational Team.

Game One: Rivier University 3, New York University 0 (Final – 9/2)

Rivier opened up the tournament with a decisive straight set win over New York University with scores of 26-24, 27-25 and 25-16.

Senior Chelsey Hussey (Lebanon, Conn.) paced the offensive attack with 14 kills and a .480 hitting percentage while classmate Silverman smashed 13 kills. Fellow senior Molly McCormack (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) chipped in with 11 kills and senior Dana Mott (Medway, Mass.) contributed with 9 kills. The offensive attack was directed by Macken who dished out 39 assists. Juniors Bethany Trevino (Westminster, Colo.) and Madison Soucy (Tolland, Conn.) controlled the back line with 13 and 12 digs, respectively.

NYU saw Caroline Rapp and Shelby King lead the team with 8 kills apiece and Daryl Mitchell passed out 33 assists. Paighton Miller tied Trevino for the game-high with 13 digs.

Game Two: Rivier University 3, Plattsburgh State 0 (Final – 9/2)

The Raiders then closed out the Invitational's opening day with a 3-1 victory over Plattsburgh State. After dropping the first set, 23-25, Rivier rattled off 25-12, 25-19 and 25-14 to secure the win.

Mott led the way as she hammered down 20 kills on her way to a .515 hitting percentage. Macken once again recorded 30+ assists with 38 and McCormack totaled 17 digs on the match. Silverman added five total blocks to go along with her nine kills. Freshman Jillian Boyle (North Andover, Mass.) also collected 12 digs.

Plattsburgh State saw Sam Colombo register the team high with 12 kills and Sydney Gabriel total 28 assists. Jordynne Ales added 17 digs along the back line.

Game Three: Rivier University 3, Skidmore College 0 (Final – 9/3)

Second day, same results as the Raiders continue their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Skidmore College in the morning match. Rivier was able to take the game with set scores of 25-13, 25-19 and 25-18.

It was an even offensive attack for the Raiders in the third game of the tournament as both Silverman and McCormack led the team with 7 kills while Macken and Hussey added six each. Macken also dished out 24 assists and Trevino cleaned up the back line with 18 digs. Silverman finished with another five total block game.

Skidmore saw Brittany Osborn register five kills and Bailey Hutchins controlled the attack with 13 assists.

Game Four: Rivier University 3, Hunter College 1 (Final – 9/3)

Rivier closed out the season opening invitational with a four set win over Hunter College by scores of 25-16, 25-17, 19-25 and 25-18.

Mott and Silverman once again were forces along the net as the duo hammered down 15 kills each while Hussey also reached double-digits with 10 kills. The stellar play from the setter position continued as Macken recorded 43 assists and libero/defensive specialist Trevino, registered a team high of 18 digs. McCormack also had a solid night along the back line with 16 digs with Soucy adding 13 digs of her own.

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The Raiders will return home with a clean 4-0 overall record and begin their 2016 home schedule with a pair of contests against Keene State and Colby-Sawyer in the annual Granite State Challenge on Friday afternoon – starting at 4pm.