NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's volleyball team fell to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Emmanuel (Mass.) 3-1 Tuesday evening at the Muldoon Center.
With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 7-8 (4-2 GNAC), while the Saints jumped to 13-2 (6-0 GNAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rivier established control early in the opening set, turning a 2-2 tie into a 6-2 lead behind kills from senior Sam Driend and an ace from sophomore Mia Pento. The Raiders continued to build their advantage, moving ahead 10-5 before extending the margin to 15-7 following a pair of kills by first-year Ashlee Salafia and a block from juniors Savannah Dunne and Lily Seibel. Rivier increased its margin to 11 at 21-10 with kills from Salafia and junior Lydia Brakefield. Emmanuel mounted a late push, scoring four straight points to pull within 21-14, but the Raiders closed out the set with four of the final seven points, including kills from Salafia and first-year Ava Pohopek and an ace from Driend, to take the opening frame, 25-17.
- Rivier and Emmanuel battled through a tight second set, with the Raiders taking a 10-7 lead after kills from Brakefield, Pohopek, and Driend and aces from Dunne, senior Lacey Turner, and sophomore Mollie Miner service ace. The Saints answered with 8-2 run to take a 15-12 advantage. Emmanuel continued to build its lead, moving ahead 18-14 before Rivier trimmed the deficit to 18-16 on a Driend kill. The Saints responded with three straight points to extend the margin to 21-16 and maintained the advantage through the remainder of the set. Rivier fought off three consecutive set points and pulled within 24-21, but Emmanuel finished the frame on the next point, 25-21.
- The Raiders and the Saints battled through an 8-8 tie to begin the third set. Emmanuel answered to regain the lead at 9-8, but the Raiders responded with three straight points, including kills from Salafia and Dunne to move ahead 11-9. The Saints regained control down the stretch, closing out the frame on a 16-7 run.
- Emmanuel opened the fourth set scoring six of the first seven points. The Saints continued to extend the advantage, moving ahead 21-6. The Raiders trimmed the deficit to 23-12 following a five-point service run for Dunne. Emmanuel closed out the set with a kill and an ace to secure a 25-12 victory and a 3-1 match win.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Salafia paced the offense with 11 kills and a .280 hitting percentage.
- Seibel dished out 29 assists.
- Defensively, Miner led the team with 20 digs.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to action Thursday, Oct. 8 for a non-conference match with Worcester St. The opening serve is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.
