Several Raiders named to the GNAC WVB All-Conference teams

(Boston, MA) The Great Northeast Athletic Conference announced yesterday the 2012 All-Conference Women's Volleyball team and four Rivier University Raiders found themselves on the list.

Headlining the list is senior Kenna Finlayson. The Derry, New Hampshire native has been named the GNAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Finlayson dominated the action all season long, leading the conference in kills (471) and kills/set (4.76). The senior collected 10 or more kills in 28 matches including a season-high of 27 winners on Sept. 8 vs. the University of New England. She played all the way around, recording a 232 digs over 99 sets played. Finlayson also led the GNAC in service aces, registering 74 on the year. The outside hitter recorded a total of 566 points which was first in the GNAC.

Nicole Peacock was also named to the All-Conference First team as the junior played tremendously well all season long along the net. She appeared in 31 of the team's 34 matches in 2012 recording 260 kills, a .329 hitting percentage and 98 total blocks in the process. The middle hitter from Warwick, Rhode Island was also named the GNAC All-Conference 2nd team in 2011 and was the 2010 GNAC Rookie of the Year.

Speaking of rookies, freshman Emily O'Reilly was selected to the All-Conference third team after posting a successful campaign in 2012. The San Francisco, California native averaged 9.35 assists per set - 1,010 total for the season - and a .322 hitting percentage. The 5'8 setter also found her way to 56 service aces and 11 total blocks.

Rivier University head coach Craig Kolek has been named the GNAC Coach of the Year after leading the Raiders to a 24-10 overall record including an 11-1 mark in GNAC action. The Raiders, who were picked as the 2012 pre-season favorite in the coaches' poll, have now played in nine of the past 11 GNAC Championship matches. This honor marks the third time Kolek has been named the GNAC Coach of the Year as he also received the award in 2003 and 2010. Kolek has also now coached five GNAC Players of the Year.