Men's Volleyball tops JWU in four sets

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Men's Volleyball program returned to the win column this evening with a four set triumph over visiting Johnson & Wales University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action at the Muldoon Gymnasium. The win propels the Raiders' overall record to 7-4 and 1-1 in the conference. The Wildcats are also 1-1 in the GNAC with an overall record of 4-9 with the loss.

Sophomore Grant Andler (Chicago, Ill.) led the attack for the Raiders, who dropped the first set 16-25 before rolling 25-18, 25-23, 27-25 to the win. Andler hammered down 16 kills with classmate Matt Heckler (Simi Valley, Calif.) adding 10 kills, a .500 hitting percentage and six total blocks – including three solo blocks. Junior Ian Wolski (Westfield, Mass.) provided additional help with 12 kills and three total blocks. Junior setter Tyler Blank (Rochester, N.Y.) dished out a total of 51 assists and senior Nick Ochoa (Whittier, Calif.) patrolled the backline with 18 digs. Sophomore Garrett Bucklin (Jamestown, R.I.) also had double-digit digs with 12.

For the Wildcats, they were led by the duo of Ryan Kennedy and Brendan Baker. Kennedy laced 12 kills in the loss with Baker adding 10 kills himself. Cameron Ponce recorded 31 assists and Kyle MacKnight chipped in with 8 digs. Rakeem Malone added four total blocks for Johnson & Wales.

Rivier will return to the court on Saturday afternoon as they compete in a non-conference tri-match at Regis College. Their first game will be against Elms College at 1pm before taking on the host Regis at 3pm. JWU will also be in tri-match action as they host both Emmanuel College and Emerson College in a pair of GNAC contests beginning at 10am.