NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Rivier women's volleyball team improved its win streak to three straight following Saturday afternoon's sweep over Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Mitchell at the Yarnell Athletic Center.
With the win, the Raiders improved to 4-4 (2-0 GNAC), while the Mariners fell to 2-3 (0-3 GNAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rivier opened the match with a 4-0 run, highlighted by a kill from sophomore Emma Zeblisky, an ace from junior Lily Seibel, and back-to-back attack errors by Mitchell. The Mariners responded to cut the deficit to 4-3 before the Raiders extended their lead behind kills from junior Savannah Dunne, Seibel, senior Sam Driend and first-year Ava Pohopek. Rivier later used a 5-0 run, including two Seibel service aces and a kill from Dunne, to take an 18-6 advantage. Mitchell trimmed the lead to 22-11, but the Raiders closed the set with an ace from Driend and a kill from Pohopek, 25-12.
- Rivier again jumped out early, taking a 2-0 lead on a kill and an ace from Seibel. Mitchell tied the set at 2-2, followed by both teams trading points through a 7-7 deadlock. Rivier then built a 14-9 lead behind a four-point service run from Zeblisky and a kill from sophomore Fiona Rexford. The Raiders continued to control the set, pushing their advantage to 20-12 before Mitchell made a late push. Rivier maintained the lead behind kills from Pohopek, Dunne and Driend, finishing the set ahead 25-17.
- Rivier started the final set with kills from first-year Ashlee Salafia and junior Annabelle Lozzi. Mitchell responded with a 4-0 run to move in front, 4-2, but Rivier answered with kills from Driend to regain the lead. With the score tied 7-7, Rivier used a 6-1 stretch that featured kills from Seibel and Salafia, along with a Driend service ace, to take a 13-8 advantage. The Raiders continued to pull away, with Seibel adding back-to-back aces during a 5-0 run that pushed the lead to 20-11. Rivier closed out the match on a 4-0 run, with the final point coming from Avery MacDonald service ace, securing the 25-16 set win and a 3-0 sweep.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- As a team, the Raiders outhit Mitchell .242 to -0.071
- Driend led the team with eight kills.
- Seibel logged 15 assists.
- Sophomore Mollie Miner recorded 14 digs.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to the court Tuesday, Sept. 22 for a non-conference road match against Salem St. The first serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Twohig Gymnasium.
