Mahwah NJ, - #5 Rivier College (7-0 overall; 1-0 GNAC) defeated 3 top level NECVA teams to improve their overall record to 7-0 on the season. The Raiders kicked off the weekend with a 3-1 win over Vassar College by the scores of 25-16, 25-23, 24-26, 29-27 on Friday night. On Saturday Rivier then took on Philadelphia Biblical University, the 6th ranked team in Division 3, and battled to a 5 set thriller 25-23, 18-25, 25-10, 16-25, and 15-13. Finally RIV wrapped up the weekend with a 3-1 win over host Ramapo College by the scores of 20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-23.
Sophomore setter Steve Visentin directed a balance Raider attack that hit .261 for the weekend. Visentin dished out 135 assists to average 10.2 assists/set over the 3 matches. Senior Jared Andreozzi led the Raider attack hitting for a .352 clip while pounding out 55 kills and also served a Raider high 6 ace serves. The 6'4 outside hitter scooped up 18 digs and put back 9 blocks in the weekend effort. Freshman middle hitter Aaron Almario had himself a weekend with 30 kills and a .333 hitting percentage all while leading RIV with a team high 18 blocks. Junior middle hitter Alex Xenidis wasn't too far behind with 25 kills and 14 blocks and also had 3 ace serves and 11 digs.
The back row combination of Drew Corwin, Chris Convertito, Steve Wood, and Andrew Paine made their mark with a combined 67 digs all while passing and serving well. Paine also put down 13 kills as did senior opposite hitter John Furka. Furka also was big on the block with 13 total put backs. Freshman Sam Kazlas came off the bench to make a huge impact with 18 kills and 8 blocks in just 7 sets played and classmate Alex Wezelis made a difference as well with solid passing and defense.
#5 Rivier College (3) 25 25 24 29
Vassar College (1) 16 23 26 27
#5 Rivier College (3) 25 18 25 16 15
#6 Phila. Biblical (2) 23 25 10 25 13
#5 Rivier College (3) 20 25 25 25
Ramapo College (1) 25 17 23 23
Rivier will return to GNAC action on Wednesday 1/16 when they travel for a 7pm match at Mt Ida College.
