NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's volleyball team secured its second win of the 2026 campaign, defeating Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Norwich in straight sets Friday evening at the Muldoon Center.
With the win, the Raiders improved to 2-4 (1-0 GNAC), while the Cadets fell to 1-5 (0-2 GNAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rivier opened the contest with a 4-1 run, eventually increasing its lead to 9-4 with kills from senior Sam Driend and sophomore Fiona Rexford and back-to-back service aces from junior Lacey Turner. Norwich brought it back to within three at 12-9 and both teams traded scores until the Raiders pulled away down the stretch. Scoring six of the next eight points following a 17-14 score, Rivier used two kills from sophomore Emma Zeblisky and an ace from sophomore Mollie Miner to increase its advantage to 22-15. The Raiders closed out the frame, 25-18 with Zeblisky adding another kill and an ace.
- The Cadets opened the second frame with a 4-0 run before Rivier countered with five straight to take the lead. Following four tied scores at 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, and 8-8, the Raiders went on a 6-0 run with Rexford, Turner, first-year Ava Pohopek, and junior Lily Seibel finding the floor. Rivier took a 2-0 match lead off the back of an 11-3 stretch.
- The Raiders continued their dominate play in the third, jumping out to a 11-1 lead. Sophomore Mia Pento put together a 10-point service run over that span. Norwich strung together three in a row before first-year Brooke Braswell put together a four-point service run, including three aces. Rivier closed out the match on four straight points, capitalizing on a trio of errors and a kill from junior Lydia Breakfield.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Driend led the team with seven kills.
- Rexford added six kills and a .400 hitting percentage.
- Seibel dished out 24 assists.
- Defensively, Miner and Seibel each dug nine balls.
- As a team, the Raiders outscored the Cadets 51-17.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to action Wednesday, Sept. 16 for a non-conference match with intrastate foe Keene St. The first serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.
