(Nashua, NH) The number one overall seeded
Rivier Raiders (26-8, 14-0 GNAC) defeated the number two seeded
Emmanuel College (17-12, 12-2 GNAC) in the GNAC championship game
this afternoon in three straight sets taking their 5th straight
GNAC tournament title.
The Raiders were led through their playoffs by the strong play
of the tournament MVP junior Steve Visentin(Cheshire,
CT). Visentin had 33 assists in the championship game
while making exciting sets for his hitters to lead their offensive
attack against the Saints. Sophomore Aaron
Almario (Alhambra, CA) was all over the ball for
the Raiders as he continued his dominance that he has showed
throughout the season registering 15 kills and 3 blocks to amass a
total of 17 points. Defensively the Raiders were led, as they have
been all season, by their captain senior Chris
Convertito(Trumbull, CT) who led the team with 7 digs
and a number of highlight reel plays.
For the Saints, they put forward a strong effort as they have
all season pushing the Raiders throughout the entire series and
never letting in. The captain of the Saints, junior Nick Updike
(Manhattan Beach, CA) turned out the best all-around performance
for the visitors as he totaled 5 kills, 22 assists, 2 digs, and a
game high .556 kill percentage. Offensively the Saints were led on
the court by freshman Ashanti Jackson (Sacramento, CA) who amassed
a team high 10 kills and 10.5 overall points. Senior Tim Ramistella
(Westport, CT) was the dig leader with 6 while freshman Cody Diehl
(Derry, NH) had 4.
The 2012 GNAC All-Tournament team was announced post game and
three Raiders were honored. Tournament MVP Steve Visentin was
joined by Convertito and senior Andrew Corwin
(Framingham, MA). Also named to the team was Carlos Torres
of Albertus Magnus, Don Dias of Johnson and Wales and both Updike
and Alex Petty of Emmanuel.
Rivier will now wait for the pairings of the first ever NCAA
Division III Men's Volleyball Tournament which should be released
by Tuesday.
