Raiders Back On Track – Defeat Two More GNAC Foes

Boston, MA - Rivier College (9-1 GNAC; 15-9 overall), winners of their last 9 out of 10 matches, defeated both St Joseph College (CT) and Suffolk University 3-1 to improve their conference record to 9-1. The Raider freshmen stepped in and stepped up against St Joseph College as 6 of the 8 Raider newbie's saw significant playing time in the match. Nicole Boucher (Salem, NH)returned to the starting line-up after a month layoff and registered her first double double of her career. The 5'9 pin hitter had a match high 17 kills and a match high 13 digs to lead RIV. First year middle hitters Megan Dudek (W. Chesterfield, NH) and Elizabeth Hegarty (Brookline, NH) both had themselves a match as well. Dudek served tough with a team high 5 ace serves, blocked well with a team high 5 blocks, and hit with consistency with 4 kills on just 10 attempts. Hegarty put down a career high 11 kills for the Blue and White. Freshmen setter Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, MA) had her best game to date in her young career registering 26 assists, 8 digs and 2 blocks while classmate Morgan Peck (Sudbury, MA) was solid on the right pin with 8 kills, 3 blocks, 2 ace serves and 2 digs. Junior Meghan Farrell (Marlborough, MA) and sophomore Christi Pratte (Manchester, NH) were settling forces on the court. Farrell narrowly missed a double double with 10 digs and 9 kills while Pratte combined with freshman Toni-Rose Bailon (Manchester, NH) in the back row for a flawless 21 for 21 on receive and 11 digs.

The Raiders ran into a red hot Suffolk team in the first set but calmly and methodically rebounded to easily take the next 3 sets from the home team. Rivier's first year middle hitters played a huge part in the victory. Nicole Peacock (Warwick, RI) landed 9 of her 18 attacks with just 1 error for a.444 hitting percentage while Elizabeth Hegarty (Brookline, NH) put down 7 of her 18 swings with no errors for a .388 hitting percentage. The duo also combined for 3 of the Raider 5 team blocks and Peacock went off on the serve with a match high 5 aces. Sophomore Kenna Finlayson (Derry, NH) thumped a match high 22 kills, senior Danielle Jacques (Derry, NH) was steady with 5 kills and Meghan Farrell (Marlborough, MA) came off the bench to make a difference with 4 kills. Junior setter Lauren Saccoccio (Warwick, RI) scored yet another double-double with 40 assists and 10 digs and also served tough with 2 aces. The back row trio of Emileigh Cenedella (Townsend, MA), Caitlin Callahan (Dedham, MA) and Jessica Amaral (E. Providence, RI) once again were the foundation of the Raiders win with good passing and scrappy defense recording 37 digs and a consistent 37 for 39 on receive.

Rivier                 (3)  25  25  18  25
St Joseph (CT)   (1)  12  12  25  13

Rivier    (3)  17  25  25  25
Suffolk  (1)  25  14   8   11

Rivier will take a break from their GNAC schedule and take on cross town rival Daniel Webster College on Tuesday 10/19 at 7:00pm.