Wentworth Wraps Up 2024 GNAC Championship With 3-0 Win

April 13, 2024

GNAC MEN’S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

Release courtesy of the Wentworth Athletic Communications Department.

BOSTON – For the third straight season, the top-seeded Wentworth Institute of Technology men's volleyball team captured the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship title, downing the third-seeded Rivier Raiders in straight sets Saturday afternoon.

Each of the Leopards last three titles have been won in front of a packed home crowd, while Wentworth's 2024 championship clinches the program's fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth and sixth overall.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

A kill by Sam Etter helped push the Leopards' lead to 9-3 in the first set before a kill by Jacob LaBouliere marked a 11-4 lead. Rivier went on a run, eventually tying the score at 18-all, before kills by Etter and sophomore Nicolai Bell helped give Wentworth a 21-18 advantage. Kills by LaBouliere and senior Jacob Waga helped the Leopards win a 25-22 set.
The two teams traded scores to begin the second frame, marking a 6-6 score, before the Leopards separated themselves to take a massive 14-6 lead on a slew of Raider errors. Rivier tried to claw back, but kills by LaBouliere, Bell, and Etter helped the hosts hold on for a 25-15 set win.
The Leopards opened the third set on a 9-4 run before kills by LaBouliere and Bell marked a 12-6 score. A kill by LaBouliere continued the lead to 16-12 before two more from the senior marked a 21-19 lead. Rivier hung in in the later going, before ultimately dropping the set 25-22 with the final point clinched by a LaBouliere finish.

SERIES NOTES:

The Leopards have won in seven straight meetings against the Raiders, including two earlier this season.

NEXT UP:

Wentworth awaits their first opponent in the NCAA Division III Tournament as the Selection Show takes place Monday, April 15, at 10 a.m.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Michael Shelley, Emmanuel
Theo Zaharewicz, Lasell
Sokunbuth Ly, Rivier
Neil Rea, Rivier
Sam Etter, Wentworth
Josh Milke, Wentworth

MVP - Jacob LaBouliere, Wentworth

2024 GNAC Men’s Volleyball Tournament Schedule

Quarterfinals – Tuesday, April 9

(Hosted by higher seeds)

#3 Rivier def. #6 Emerson, 3-0 | BOX
#4 Emmanuel def. #5 Regis, 3-0 | BOX

Semifinals – Thursday, April 11
(Hosted by higher seeds)

#1 Wentworth def. #4 Emmanuel, 3-0 | BOX
#3 Rivier def. #2 Lasell, 3-1 | BOX

Championship – Saturday, April 13

#1 Wentworth def. #3 Rivier, 3-0 | BOX

ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 16 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.

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