(Boston, Mass.) The Rivier College Women's Volleyball team
captured their 5th Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship
today after defeating top ranked Emerson College in five sets.
In a back-and-forth set, it was the Raiders who came out on top
in the first set, 25-20. The teams exchanged points to start the
match. Back-to-back kills by juniorKenna
Finlayson (Derry, NH) and sophomore Nicole
Boucher (Windham, NH) gave Rivier a lead that they
wouldn't relinquish.
Emerson got off to a fast start in the second set as they held a
6-1 advantage. Rivier was able to collect themselves and go on a
12-4 run to take a 13-10 lead. The game was intense and the score
tied at 18, the teams traded points before it was Emerson's Megan
Kaplon laced one of her 3 kills to give the home team a 2nd set
win, 27-25.
Emerson took control of the third set as they jumped out to a
10-3 lead. The Lions were led by Jessica Drumright, who recorded 4
of her 13 kills in the set. Emerson took the set, 25-11 and more
importantly the lead at 2 sets to 1.
Needing to win two straight sets to capture the title, Rivier
Head Coach Craig Kolek inspired his team. The Raiders, with the
support of the 100 students and family members that were in
attendance, took the fourth set 25-21 to force a fifth set.
In the fifth set, the teams were even; trading points until
Rivier was able to gain a 12-7 lead. Just three points away from
defeat the Lions battled back and tied the game at 12. After a kill
by Finlayson to make it 14-12, the Raiders captured the GNAC title
on an attack error by the Lions.
GNAC Tournament MVP Finlayson paced the Raider offense with 20
kills. Boucher, an All GNAC Tournament selection, had 16 kills
while sophomore Nicole
Peacock (Warwick, RI) contributed with 10 kills. Peacock
was also named to the All GNAC Tournament team. Sophomore Jessica
Amaral (East Providence, RI) was the defensive leader with
17 digs. Finlayson also added 8 digs in the win.
In the past 11 seasons, the Raider Women's Volleyball program
has reached the GNAC Championship 9 times. They captured the
Tournament title now for the 4th time – 2003, 2007, 2008 and
2011. This was the second title for seniors Emileigh
Cenedella(Townsend, MA), Lauren
Saccoccio (Warwick, RI) and Catlin Callahan (Dedham,
MA).
The Raiders will now advance to the NCAA Regionals on Tuesday
night. The site and opponents are still to be determined.
GNAC
All-Tournament Team
MVP- Kenna Finlayson (Rivier College)
Meghan Flynn (Simmons College)
Jenna Ross (Emmanuel College)
Nicole Peacock (Rivier College)
Nicole Boucher (Rivier College)
Katie Bailey (Emerson)
Kat Rice (Emerson)
