Senior Saturday: 2020 Men's Volleyball Senior Class
Story posted by Anthony Perry, Rivier University Sports Information Director
NASHUA, N.H. – As a part of our "Senior Saturday" series, we would to recognize the efforts of our Spring Seniors, who due to the COVID-19 pandemic never received an opportunity to be acknowledged in their final home games of their careers. Today we are honoring the 2020 Men's Volleyball Senior Class.
2020 Men's Volleyball Senior Class
These four Raiders have been a vital part of the overall success of the program over the last four years. A 43-4 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) record, including 2 GNAC final appearances and 2 GNAC Championships, and an 84-32 overall record with 2 trips to the NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Tournament and 1 NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Tournament Second Round appearance, make these seniors some of the best to play for Rivier University Men's Volleyball.
These Raiders not only worked hard at developing their skills but also at developing a team in which the whole Rivier community can be proud. Their sacrifices and commitment for the betterment of the team will always be reflected in the future Raider squads. Here are our four seniors:
Pedro Campos – A 2-year team member who stabilized the Raiders offense as the primary setter. In 2019, his first season as a Raider, Pedro was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week 4 times in route to being named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Year. That season he led the Raider offense to 10.27 assists/set average which was a GNAC best and 5th best in Division 3. This season he was just as solid once again leading the GNAC in assists/set at 9.70. Pedro will be using his NCAA waiver from the COVID-19 pandemic to participate in the 2021 season.
David Smith – A 4-year member and a go-to player for the Raiders. As a sophomore David stepped into a starting role as an outside hitter and was selected to the All GNAC 2nd Team for his efforts and helped Rivier to their 1st GNAC championship in 4 years. In 2019 David raised his game to another level and reaped the benefits. He was selected to the All GNAC 1st Team as well as being named the GNAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player while once again helping Rivier to another GNAC title. This season David elevated his level even more and was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week three times in 9 weeks. His 3.43 kills/set average was second best in the GNAC and his .53 aces/set was 3rd in the GNAC. David will be using his NCAA waiver from the COVID-19 pandemic to participate in the 2021 season.
Cam Roth – A 4-year member and, like Smith, a go-to player for the Raiders. After playing sparingly in his first season Cam worked himself into being one of the best ball control players for Rivier over the next three years. In his sophomore season, Cam and teammates ended the drought and swept through the GNAC conference for their 1st GNAC Championship in 4 years. As an outside hitter Cam was named to the All GNAC 3rd Team and was selected to the GNAC All-Tournament Team. In 2019 Cam moved to the libero position and behind his stellar passing and defense the Raiders won their 2nd straight GNAC Championship. His 318 digs for that season were just six digs shy of a Raider record in a single season and his 3.03 digs/set average was also second best in program history. He was named to the All GNAC 2nd Team for his efforts. In this season Cam once again was one of the best in the GNAC and the country. He was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year 2 times and his 2.72 digs/set average was 4th best in the GNAC. Cam will graduate this spring with a degree in bio/pre-med and will be pursuing a graduate degree in chiropractic's.
Francis Kokoros – A 4-year member for the players. Francis along with Cam and David were the driving force behind the Raiders success over the last three seasons. As a sophomore Francis worked on all aspects of what was needed to be successful – skill, conditioning, and leadership. He worked hard at honing those traits; wanting the big moments to eventually fall on his shoulders. His tireless pursuit of improvement paid dividends as he stepped into the starting role on the right side in 2019 and was 2nd on the Raiders with 251 kills and was a big factor for the Raiders 2nd championship in as many years. Francis had a stellar post season helping Rivier to a NCAA win and a trip to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2014. This season Francis, always the team player, moved into the middle hitter position without hesitation and was dominant. He finished 2020 with a .363 hitting percentage which was 2nd best in the GNAC. He was also ranked 5th for service aces (.51 aces/set) and 6th for blocks (.85 blocks/set) in the conference. His play lead the Raiders to an undefeated 5-0 GNAC record and a 12-4 overall record all while helping Rivier to be ranked in the top 15 in the country for most of the season. Francis will pursue his graduate degree overseas while continuing to play both indoor and beach volleyball for his university.
