Raiders 2-1 At Western Connecticut Classic

PEACOCK SETS SINGLE SEASON BLOCKING RECORD; SACCOCCIO NAMED TO ALL CLASSIC TEAM

Danbury, CT - In the opening match on Friday night, Rivier College (18-10 overall; 9-1 GNAC) and Colby-Sawyer College split the first two games, with Rivier winning 25-20 and Colby-Sawyer storming back for a 25-12 victory. Rivier dominated play in game three to win going away, 25-8, but Colby-Sawyer answered with a 25-23 win in game four. In the fifth and deciding game, Rivier fought off a match-point to win 17-15 and take the match 3-2. Freshman Nicole Peacock (Warwick, RI) recorded 3 blocks in the match to eclipse a 10 year long record of 67 blocks in a season. The 5'8 middle hitter, who currently stands at 75 blocks after this weekend's play, also put down 10 kills in the 5 set victory. Senior middle hitter Nicole Rodriguez (Newton, MA) was sensational at the net garnishing 11 kills with just 1 error on 31 attempts while sophomore outside hitter Kenna Finlayson (Derry, NH) had a team high 15 kills. Pin hitters Danielle Jacques (Derry, NH) and Meghan Farrell (Marlborough, MA) combined for 10 kills to round off the offense. Junior setter Lauren Saccoccio (Warwick, RI) recorded a double double with 42 assists and 12 digs while back row players Emileigh Cenedella (Townsend, MA) and Caitlin Callahan (Dedham, MA) were steadfast. The pair combined for 50 of the Raiders 78 team digs as well as 7 of the Raiders 12 ace serves.

In the first match of day two against Vassar College, setter Lauren Saccoccio (Warwick, RI) ran a diverse offense, dishing out 58 assists, allowing for 4 different Raiders to register double digits in kills. Middle hitters Nicole Peacock (Warwick, RI) and Nicole Rodriguez (Newton, MA) were huge in the win. Peacock tallied a team high 18 kills and .424 hitting percentage while Rodriguez followed close behind with 17 kills and a .387 hitting percentage. Kenna Finlayson (Derry, NH) pounded out 15 kills and freshman Nicole Boucher (Windham, NH) put down 10 kills for RIV. Not to be outdone the Raiders defense was just as impressive with a season high 100 digs. Libero Emileigh Cenedella (Townsend, MA) scooped up her second consecutive match of 29 digs to lead the Blue and White. Finlayson had herself a game in the back row as well with 22 digs while Caitlin Callahan (Dedham, MA) and freshman Jessica Amaral (E. Providence, RI) were nails all match with a combined 26 digs and 39 for 40 on receive. Sophomore Christi Pratte (Manchester, NH) made solid contributions off the bench with her receive (2/2) and defense (4 digs) while freshman Megan Dudek (Chesterfield, NH) did the same with 2 kills on just 4 attempts.

In the Raiders lone loss in the Classic to Western Connecticut State University, setter Lauren Saccoccio (Warwick, RI) registered yet another double double to lead RIV. The All Classic Team member dished out 36 assists and picked up 11 digs to finish off a solid tournament for the Warwick Rhode Island native. Rivier's back row, once again the foundation for the Raiders, was led by libero Emileigh Cenedella (Townsend, MA) who lipped a career high 30 digs in the 4 set match. The junior from Townsend Massachusetts averaged and eye popping 6.8 digs/set over the 3 matches in the weekend. Caitlin Callahan (Dedham, MA) and Jessica Amaral (E. Providence, RI) combined for another solid outing with 12 digs and a combined 25/25 on receive. Kenna Finlayson (Derry, NH) led all Raiders with 16 kills and 3 service aces while Nicole Rodriguez (Newton, MA) and Nicole Peacock (Warwick, RI) combined for 18 kills.

Rivier College                (3)  25  12  25  23  17
Colby-Sawyer College   (2)  20  25  8    25  15

Rivier College (3)    14  26  25  27  15
Vassar College (2)  25  28  22  25  10

Rivier College  (1)  19  25  21  21
WCSU              (3)  25  21  25  25

Rivier will return home on Thursday October 28 for a non conference match against U-Mass Dartmouth. Game time at The Muldoon is 7:00pm.