FRANKLIN, Mass. – The Rivier women's volleyball continues is winning streak after defeating Dean 3-0 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) match Friday evening at Pieri Gymnasium.
With the win, the Raiders improved to 12-8 (7-2 GNAC), while the Bulldogs fell to 1-22 (1-10 GNAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rivier overcame an early 4-2 deficit in the opening set, tying the score at 4-4 before the Raiders used a five-point stretch to take a 9-5 lead. Senior Lacey Turner contributed two service aces and a kill during the run, while junior Savannah Dunne added a kill. Rivier continued to build its advantage, moving ahead 12-8 before Dean pulled within 12-9. The Raiders responded with another strong stretch, extending the lead to 16-10 on kills from first-year Ashlee Salafia and an ace from junior Lily Seibel. Rivier maintained control from there, with senior Sam Driend recording two kills and first-year Ava Pohopek adding consecutive service aces to help push the advantage to 21-12. The Bulldogs scored five of the next nine points, but the Raiders closed out the set, 25-17, on a Dean setting error.
- After Dean took a 1-0 lead in the second set, Rivier responded with four consecutive points to move ahead 4-1. The Raiders continued to capitalize on Dean errors, extending the advantage to 14-5 behind kills from Pohopek, Dunne and junior Lydia Brakefield. The Bulldogs answered with four of the next seven points to cut the deficit to 14-8. Dunne and senior Kasey Riseborough contributed kills as the Raiders moved ahead 18-11. Rivier closed the frame on a Dunne block for a 25-18 victory and a 2-0 match lead.
- Dean held an early lead in the third set before Rivier began to rally, with the Raiders tying the score at 6-6 on a Driend kill. Rivier then took an 8-6 lead after consecutive kills from first-year Brooke Braswell and Driend. The Bulldogs pulled within 12-9 following a Rivier ball handling error, before Dean responded with three consecutive points to cut the margin to 14-12. The Raiders answered with kills from Turner Driend to move ahead 18-13. Rivier maintained control down the stretch, reaching match point at 24-19 on a Seibel kill before senior Meghan North delivered a service ace to secure the 25-19 set victory and complete the 3-0 sweep.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Driend paced the offense with 12 kills, while contributing three digs and two service aces.
- Seibel recorded a match-high 28 assists.
- Defensively, North and first-year Avery Bohac led the team with seven digs each.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to the court Tuesday, Oct. 27 for a GNAC matchup with Colby-Sawyer. The opening serve is slated for 6:00 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.
