NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's volleyball team took down intrastate foe Keene St., 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 19-25, 25-21), in a non-conference match Wednesday evening at the Muldoon Center.
With the win, the Raiders jumped to 3-4, while the Owls fell to 3-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rivier and Keene St. traded points early before a kill from senior Sam Driend tied the set at 5-5. The Raiders then built a 10-8 advantage behind kills from first-year Ava Pohopek and sophomore Emma Zeblisky. Zeblisky added consecutive kills to extend the lead to 13-10 before the Owls used a stretch of four straight points to take a 16-14 advantage. The Raiders responded with four consecutive points with sophomore Mollie Miner behind the service line to move ahead 18-16. Pohopek then recorded back-to-back kills before junior Lily Seibel logged a kill of her own and Driend aced the opposition, pushing the lead to 23-18. Zeblisky closed out the set with a kill, giving Rivier the 25-21 set win.
- Rivier opened the second set with six consecutive points, including kills from junior Savannah Dunne, Zeblisky and Driend. Keene St. answered with an 8-2 run to tie the set at 8-8, then moved ahead 15-10. Rivier battled back behind kills from Driend, Zeblisky and Pohopek, eventually tying the set at 16-16. The teams remained within one point through 21-21 before Driend recorded consecutive kills to put Rivier ahead 23-21. An Owls' attack error made it 24-21 before Miner finished the set with a service ace, giving the Raiders the 2-0 match advantage.
- Keene St. took an early 3-1 lead, but Rivier responded with a 6-1 stretch to move ahead 7-4. Driend, Pohopek, Seibel, and Zeblisky each recorded a kill, helping the Raiders build a 11-6 advantage. The Owls gradually closed the gap and eventually tied the set at 12-12 before taking a 16-13 lead. Rivier cut the deficit to 17-15, but Keene St. extended its advantage to 20-16 and later 24-17. Rivier scored twice late, but the Owls closed out the set, 25-19.
- Rivier answered immediately to begin the fourth set, taking a 7-3 lead after kills from Driend, Pohopek, and Seibel. Driend's service ace extended the advantage to 11-5, and Seibel followed with three consecutive service aces as the Raiders opened a 17-9 lead. Keene St. trimmed the deficit to 18-13, but Driend and Zeblisky helped Rivier maintain its advantage. The Owls pulled within four points before Pohopek's kill made it 22-18. First-year Brooke Braswell and Driend sealed the match with a kill each.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Driend and Zeblisky combined for 30 kills to lead the Raiders' offense.
- As a team, Rivier outhit Keene St. .116% to .088%
- Seibel dished out 37 assists.
- Four Raiders recorded double digit digs.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to the court Saturday, Sept. 19 for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) meeting with Mitchell. The first serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
