Raiders Kick Off Season At Springfield College Invitational

Springfield, MA - Rivier College (0-3 overall; 0-0 GNAC) opened up the 2010 season in Springfield Massachusetts against three top teams in their respective areas. The Raiders opened up against NAIA Daemen College (Buffalo, NY), followed by New England top 5 power Springfield College, and finished against regionally ranked University of Minnesota – Morris to round off their weekend.

Rivier College vs Daemen College

Sophomore outside hitter Kenna Finlayson and junior setter Caitie Callahan picked up their first double double of the year with 18 kills/11 digs and 32 assists/14 digs respectively. Junior utility player Lauren Saccoccio had a team high 3 ace serves and passed well while picking up 8 digs middle hitters Nicole Rodriguez and Nicole Boucher helped on offense with 7 kills apiece. Senior Danielle Jacques and freshman Nicole Peacock tallied 3 blocks each.

Rivier College     (1)   25 14 22 21

Daemen College (3)   21 25 25 25

Rivier College vs Springfield College

Rivier struggled early against the eventual tournament champion but eventually got stronger as the match went on. Senior Danielle Jacques led all Raiders with 6 kills while sophomore Kenna Finlayson was on the 5's with 5 kills and 5 blocks. Lauren Saccoccio was solid at libero with a team high 12 digs while passing 12 for 15 on receive and freshmen Jess Amaral and Nicole Peacock tallied 2 digs and 4 blocks respectively.

Rivier College         (0)  14 18 21

Springfield College  (3) 25 25 25

Rivier College vs University of Minnesota-Morris

Senior Nicole Rodriguez was the Raiders' third different kill leader in three matches putting down 9 kills for the Blue and White. The middle hitter from Newton MA also laced in a team high 6 service aces. Sophomore Christi Pratte had a break out back row game with 10 digs and a steady 13 for 14 on receive. Libero Emeleigh Cenedella had her best match to date with great passing (31/32) and a team high 14 digs. Nicole Boucher jumped in 4 ace serves and Caitie Callahan scooped up 11 digs.

Rivier College           (1)   22 17 25 18

U Minnesota-Morris   (3)  25 25 21 25

Rivier will return to action on Saturday September 11 when they travel to Bristol, RI for the Roger Williams Invitational.  At 11:00 am the Raiders will challenge the 2009 TCCC Champions Roger Williams University followed by University of New England at 1:00pm and NYU Polytechnic at 3:00pm.

Following the Roger Williams Invitational the Raiders will join alumni from Rhode Island at the Backroad Grill (549 Metacom Ave.) in Bristol for an alumni reception at 5:00 PM.