2010 GNAC Men’s Volleyball Championship Preview

By Melissa Maitland

GNAC Sports Information Specialist

The four teams with the best regular season conference records will face off tomorrow for the 2010 Great Northeast Men's Volleyball Championship. The #1 seed Rivier Raiders (25-8, 11-1 GNAC) will play the #4 seed Emerson Lions (9-11, 5-7 GNAC) at 11:00 a.m., while the #2 seed Emmanuel Saints (25-7, 11-1 GNAC) will battle the #3 seed Lasell Lasers (17-9, 8-4 GNAC) at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 at Rivier. The winners of each contest will face off at 4:00 p.m. to determine the 2010 GNAC Champion. The top two teams will be awarded automatic bids to the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Tournament, which begins on April 9 at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center on Cape Cod.

#1 Seed Rivier Raiders

The #1 seed Rivier Raiders (25-8, 11-1 GNAC) are looking to three-peat as GNAC Champions, having won the championship in 2008 and 2009. In fact, the Raiders are the only team to win the GNAC title, as the conference championship only dates back to 2008. Last season, Rivier defeated Emmanuel 3-0 to claim the 2009 GNAC Championship. Rivier's only conference loss this season came at the hands of Emmanuel (3-1) on March 2, when the Saints beat the Raiders for the first time in the 8 years that the two teams have competed against each other. The Raiders are ranked #11 in Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Rivier swept Emerson this season, winning 3-0 on both Jan. 27 and March 4. If Lasell upsets Emmanuel, Rivier swept the season series against the Lasers, 3-0, on both March 1 and March 9. Rivier is lead by Zach Hansen, who earned national recognition when he was named AVCA Player of the Week on Jan. 25. Hansen leads the Raiders in assists per set (12.33), service aces per set (.60), and digs per set (2.04). Hansen will get help from the 2009 GNAC Player of the Year Matt Ferreira, and the 2009 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Kyle O'Neill. Also lending a hand are Jared Andreozzi, who leads Rivier's attack (4.87 kills/set, 5.61 points/set), and Taylor Linder, who leads the Raiders defense (1.17 blocks/set). Last season Andreozzi, Ferreira and Hansen were all named to the All-Conference First Team.

#2 Seed Emmanuel Saints

The #2 seed Emmanuel Saints (25-7, 11-1 GNAC) only conference loss this season came at the hands of Rivier, 3-0, on Feb 5. The Saints are ranked #10 in Division III by the AVCA. Emmanuel was victorious in both contests against Lasell this season, winning 3-0 on Feb. 3, and 3-1 on Feb. 18. If Emerson upsets Rivier, Emmanuel swept the Lions this season, 3-0, on both Feb. 9 and March 16. Emmanuel is lead by Curtis Abram, who was named AVCA Player of the Week on March 8. Abram, a 2009 All-Conference Second Team honoree, leads the Saints in kills per set (4.02) and points per set (4.81). Other category leaders for Emmanuel are 2009 All-Conference First Team honoree Michael Townsend (.57 service aces/set, 2.11 digs/set), Taylor Lowe (7.34 assists/set), Zachary Caron (.429 hitting percentage), and Thomas McCaffrey (.99 blocks/set).

#3 Seed Lasell Lasers

The #3 seed Lasell Lasers (17-9, 8-4 GNAC) are looking for redemption after losing to top seeds Emmanuel and Rivier this season. In previous meetings this season against Emmanuel, Lasell lost 3-0 on Feb. 3, and 3-1 on Feb. 18. If Lasell faces Rivier in the championship match, the Lasers were swept by the Raiders, 3-0, on both March 1 and March 9. If Emerson upsets Rivier, Lasell swept the Lions this season, 3-0 on both Feb. 5 and Feb. 19. Lasell is lead by three-time GNAC Rookie of the Week Spencer Parker, who leads the Lasers in kills per set (3.18), as well as 2009 GNAC Rookie of the Year and All-Conference First Team honoree Brendan McGourn who leads the Lasers with 10.87 assists per set. Other category leaders for Lasell are Dan Rogers (.439 hitting percentage, .45 service aces/set, .90 blocks/set), and Max Vaughn (2.15 digs/set).

#4 Seed Emerson Lions

The #4 seed Emerson Lions (9-11, 5-7 GNAC) earned their ticket to the tournament by defeating Johnson & Wales, 3-2, on March 24. Emerson does not have a victory against any of the top three seeds in the 2010 GNAC Championship, so the Lions are hungry for an upset. Emerson is lead by category leaders Jeff Ackerstein (.44 service aces/set, 2.11 digs/set), Frank O'Sullivan (3.46 kills/set), Steve Selnick (7.86 assists/set), Bay Scoggin (1.09 blocks/set), and Alvaro Benavides (.500 hitting percentage).