Women’s Volleyball Sweeps on Alumni Reunion Weekend

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's volleyball team went 2-0 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match, as they took down Colby-Sawyer College and Saint Joseph (Conn.) in four sets apiece on Alumni Reunion Weekend.

With the wins, the Raiders improved 8-6 (4-1 GNAC).

Raiders 3, Chargers 1

The Raiders came out swinging, taking both sets one and two by a score of 25-17. Senior Brynn Roche and Junior Ali Rivera combined for 16 of the team's 28 kills in the opening two sets.

The Chargers would battle in set three and would eventually take over off a kill from Piller and Colby-Sawyer would flip the script and take set three, 25-18.

The Raiders would enter set four going down 3-0 early but would come back to tie the score at seven. A four-point service run by sophomore Sam Driend would break the deadlock and give the Raiders a 13-10 lead.

Roche would end the set with a service ace to take the match with a score of 25-18.

Raiders 3, Blue Jays 1

Rivier got out to a quick 4-1 lead in the opening set as a result of two Rivera points and a kill from Junior Callie Nanos. The Blue would answer with two points of their own to bring the set within one.

The Raiders would grab five of the next seven points to take a 9-5 lead. Senior Lily Sills would go on a three-point service run to extend the lead to 13-6. Back-and-forth action between both teams, neither able to gain the upper hand would result in Rivier taking the opening set 25-19.

The offensive would continue to shine for the Raiders opening up set two much like the first, taking a 3-0 lead, forcing Saint Joseph (Conn.) into a timeout. The Bluejays would find their first point of the set, but the Raiders would respond with a 13-point run, which included 6 service aces by sophomore Hannah Raab.

The Blue Jays and Raiders would once again trade points until Rivier clinched set two, 25-8.

Saint Joseph (Conn.) found their stride in set three, taking by a score of 25-16.

The Raiders responded to a 12-0 Rivera service run, including four aces, to start the final set.  The Blue Jays would respond with a five-point run of their own, however, Rivier responded with Raab at the service line, putting the match rest on another service run, this time earning 12 points, to bring the match to a close at 25-5. 

The Raiders tallied 84 kills on the day. Rivera logged the most with 23, followed by Sills, Roche, and Driend who notched 15, 13, and 12 respectively.

Senior setter Ryan Hicks led the day with 57 assists, with 38 coming against the Chargers.

Raab would round out the stats with 23 digs in both contests.

The Raiders are back in action Wednesday, Oct. 2 as they face off against the Panthers of Plymouth St. in non-conference play. First serve is set for 5 p.m. at Foley Gymnasium.