FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rivier to host Lasell (1:00 p.m.)
Saturday for GNAC Championship

Top-seeded Rivier University blanked fourth-seeded Emmanuel College, 3-0, and second-seeded Lasell College topped third-seeded Wentworth Institute of Technology, 3-0, in semifinal action on Thursday evening to set the stage for Saturday afternoon's 2015 GNAC Men's Volleyball Championship between the Lasers and the Raiders. The contest will get underway from Rivier's Muldoon Gymnasium at 1:00 p.m. with an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Tournament on the line.

#1 RIVIER 3, #4 EMMANUEL 0
NASHUA, N.H. – With Rivier's win, the Raiders improve their season record to 19-8 (14-1 GNAC), while Emmanuel sees its season ends with an 11-12 (8-7 GNAC) record.

Over the seven-year history of GNAC men's volleyball, the Saints, who always find themselves in contention for the title, have battled with the Raiders in the conference final six times. Despite the Saints many efforts to capture their first GNAC championship, the Raiders have always been there to shut them down. As history has shown, the Raiders, when it comes to the GNAC Tournament, have never lost to the Saints, nor have they ever lost in the championship. 

Offensively, the Raiders were quick, well-positioned, and attacked with power and technique. Defensively, Rivier was calm, disciplined, and focused. Regardless of the many comeback attempts by the pesky Saints, the Raiders remained collected and un-phased. This was evident in the first set of play.

Rivier opened up this match with an impressive 25-16 set victory. Using their excellent team work and communication, the Raiders, who were led by senior Chris Markuson (Cupertino, Calif., pictured), dismantled the Saints defense. Using the crowd support to their advantage, Rivier took the game directly to the Saints and refused to back down. Ultimately, the efforts were rewarded with a nine point set victory.

The second set was a bit more competitive for the Raiders. Unlike the first set, the Saints, who were led by Ashanti Jackson (Sacramento, Calif.), refused to be handled so easily. In fact, the Saints, with some impressive offensive strikes of their own, were able to test the Raider will and make the set go down to the very last point. Despite the sudden Saint offensive revival, the Raiders, with ice in their veins, were able to shut down Emmanuel when it counted the most, taking the set 25-22.

The third set was the most crucial for both sides in this one. For Rivier, the set victory would book their place in the GNAC Championship. As for Emmanuel, a set victory would extend the match, and would ultimately keep the Saint championship dream alive. With the two set lead, and seemingly all of the momentum, the Raiders, with confidence in their step, were just a set away from reaching the top. Back and forth the Raiders and Saints fought. The set tested each team's heart and will to win. Tied at 26, the two teams battled it out until the very last whistle.

Rivier was able to take the lead when Matt Tutino (Manorville, N.Y.) was able to bury a powerful kill off of an excellent feed from Grant Andler (Chicago, Ill.) Jackson slammed home a kill of his own to re-tie the game at 27. Rivier was able to re-take the lead when Markuson was able to drive home one of his signature power kills. Up 28-27, Rivier needed just one more point to secure their spot in the Championship. Off of a great feed by Markuson, Sam Kazlas (Allentown, Pa.) lifted the Raiders to victory by planting the final kill between two Saints defenders. With an eruption of celebration from the crowd, the Raiders, coached by Craig Kolek, found themselves advancing to the Finals.

Rivier had excellent performances turned in by Markuson, who was able to lead the Raider attack with 18 kills. Tutino was second on the team with 11 kills while teammates Cam Phegley-Walker (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Kazlas combined for an additional 17 kills. Tyler Blank (Rochester, N.Y.) played a great game for the Raiders as he was able to record 51 assists while Nick Ochoa (Whittier, Calif.) had a team-high seven digs.

Rivier will next play in the GNAC Championship this Saturday against the Lasell College Lasers.

#2 LASELL 3, #3 WENTWORTH 0
NEWTON, Mass. – Lasell defeated Wentworth 3-0 by set scores of 25-15, 28-26 and 25-21 Thursday evening in the Athletic Center. The Lasers improve their record to 23-8, while the Leopards close their season at 22-8.

With the win, Lasell will make its first appearance in the GNAC Championship match since 2011 where they faced off against the opponent they will take on this upcoming Saturday, Rivier University.

The Lasers were paced by senior Dan Raffol (Natick, Mass.) and junior Jeffrey Vautrin (Chicopee, Mass.) who each contributed with 11 kills apiece. Junior Drew Caruso (Haverhill, Mass.) registered eight kills for the hosts, while sophomore Patrick MacDonald (Floral Park, N.Y.) added six kills.

Sophomore Jake Reed (Arvada, Colo.) and freshman Jon Roat (Macedon, N.Y.) led the Leopards with 11 kills each, while Roat additionally added a team-high six digs.

The Lasers used a .467 hitting percentage to take the Leopards in the first set 25-15. Back-to-back service aces from Vautrin bumped Lasell up 5-1, where the visitors were forced to take a timeout. A block my MacDonald sent the Lasers up in double figures (12-6), as the hosts held on to the lead for the entire opening set. The Lasers extended their advantage with a 7-2 spurt that pushed the score out of reach at 19-8. Both teams traded points to close the opener, but Lasell dug deep to claim the first set 25-15.

After starting the second set tied at 3-3, Wentworth tallied the next two points on an attacking error by Lasell and a service ace by sophomore Alex Potts (Niverville, N.Y.) for their first lead in the contest, 5-3. The Lasers reclaimed the lead, 9-7, as Raffol successfully served twice in a row, forcing the visitors to take a timeout. The set was tied nine more times, with the last one at 26-26.

Lasell sophomore Tristan Davis (Rochester, N.Y.) was given the serve for the final two points as the Lasers scored on an attacking error by the Leopards followed by a service ace by Davis giving Lasell a 28-26 set win and a 2-0 lead in the match.

The third set featured 13 ties and three lead changes as Lasell hit .257 to claim the final set and the game 3-0. With the score at knotted at 21-21, the Lasers went on a 4-0 run to win 25-21 and seal their spot in the GNAC Championship game on Saturday. Vautrin was given the serve as he registered a kill from junior Andrew Glenn (Westport, Conn.) that made the score 23-21. Wentworth's defense couldn't hold up as two service errors cost the Leopards the set and the match, 25-21 and 3-0