Women's Volleyball completes LFOD Invitational undefeated

(Nashua, N.H.) Rivier University finished the inaugural Live Free or Die Invitational this afternoon with a pair of wins over Rhode Island College and Western Connecticut State University. The two day Invitational was held in conjunction with Daniel Webster College and featured six different schools.

Rivier (17-4) posted a 25-16, 25-11, 25-15 decision over the visiting Anchormen in the first game this morning inside the Muldoon. However game two was not as easy for Rivier as the Colonials of Western Connecticut State University forced a fifth set, with the Raiders prevailing in a thrilling 27-25, 22-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-11 final match.

Here are the final standings of this weekend's Invitational: 1. Rivier (3-0), 2. Western Connecticut (2-1), 3. Regis College (1-1), 4. Rhode Island College (1-2), 5. Daniel Webster (0-3), 6. Bridgewater State (0-3).

Game One: Rivier University 3, Rhode Island College 0 (Final)

Senior Jackie Pisecco (Chelmsford, Mass.) and junior Lauren Silverman (Chelmsford, Mass.) each totaled 11 kills as the Raiders swept Rhode Island College in the day's first game. Silverman was once again electric as she had a .688 hitting percentage compared to Pisecco's .588 hitting percentage. Not to be out done, classmate Dana Mott (Medway, Mass.) hammered down 9 kills and a .750 hitting percentage in the win. Senior Emily O'Reilly (San Francisco, Calif.) dished out 38 assists and both junior Molly McCormack (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) and sophomore Bethany Trevino (Westminster, Colo.) reached the double-digit plateau in digs with 11 and 14, respectively. Silverman and McCormack also added three total blocks in the contest.

Rhode Island (12-7) was led by Kelsey Pace, who had 8 kills, and Michelle Malboeuf added five kills in the loss. Abigayl White passed out 14 helpers and both Megan Armburg and Jillian Ward collected nine digs apiece.

Game Two: Rivier University 3, Western Connecticut State University 2 (Final)

In a marathon thriller to close out the Live Free or Die Invitational, the Raiders were able to outlast the Colonials in five sets. The game also marked the first time that Western Connecticut Head Coach Don Ferguson returned to the sidelines at the Muldoon in quite a while. Ferguson, a Rivier graduate and member of the Rivier Hall of Fame, was also an assistant coach for the Raiders after his graduation in 2000.

Rivier's potentate offense was powered by Mott, who amassed a total of 23 kills and a .396 hitting percentage over the five sets. Mott also added four total blocks and five digs in the win. Silverman provided 15 kills, a .538 hitting percentage and six total blocks while McCormack had 11 kills and 15 digs. O'Reilly had a phenomenal game along the net as she registered 47 assists and 22 digs with Trevino pulling in the game high of 27 digs. Junior Chelsey Hussey (Lebanon, Conn.) also added four total blocks for Rivier.

The Colonials (14-9) saw Karissa Smith and Brittany Steele recorded double-doubles as Smith had 16 kills/20 digs and Steele added 10 kills/19 digs. Jacqueline Kanuk also knocked down eight kills in the defeat. Danielle Kaminsky dished out 32 assists with both Jenna Pisano reaching the team high of 23 digs.

Next up for the Raiders will be a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest in Connecticut against the University of Saint Joseph on Monday evening. Game time is scheduled for 5pm.