CAMBRIDGE, Mass.  - In the inaugural meeting between both programs, Rivier College (10-10 overall; 1-1 GNAC) was defeated by MIT, the 6th ranked team in New England, 25-22, 19-25, 11-25, 17-25 Thursday night.

The early stages of the first set were closely played until Rivier mounted a 15-6 run to take control of the frame. The Engineers responded by scoring 10 of the next 11 points to narrow the gap to two (22-20). Each side traded points as the Raiders capitalized on miscues by the Cardinal and Gray to close the frame.

MIT raced out to a 7-3 lead in the second stanza, but River used two errors and a kill by Danielle Jacques to pull within one. The Engineers countered with a 7-1 spurt and increased their margin to 14-7. The Raiders stayed within striking distance, cutting their deficit to five on four occasions the last at set point. An ace from Emileigh Cenedella kept the visitors alive, but a blast by MIT caromed off Rivier's block and sailed past the end line to wrap up the game.

A service error by the Engineers knotted the third frame at three. This was as close as it would get as the home team used a 14-3 run to establish a comfortable cushion. Both sides exchanged points until MIT scored five of the last six to seal the set.

Rivier created a 6-3 edge before five ties and one lead change resulted in a deadlock at 13. The Engineers inched ahead on a Raider hitting error and an ace. An MIT serving miscue brought the Raiders within one (15-14), but the home team then took control with a 10-3 run that closed the match.

Kenna Finlayson posted 14 kills and two aces for Rivier as Danielle Stoodley amassed 22 digs. Lauren Saccoccio dished out 20 assists while Caitlin Callahan notched a double double with 14 assists and 10 digs.  Nicole Rodriguez put down 7 kills on 20 attempts with no errors for a team high .350 hitting percentage and Emileigh Cenedella scooped up 13 digs and pounded out 6 kills. 

Rivier College    1    25  19  11  17
MIT                  3    22  25  25  25

Rivier will host GNAC rivals Norwich University and St. Joseph's College (Conn.) in a tri-match on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 11:00am and 3:00pm.