EMMANUEL FALLS TO RIVIER, 3-1, IN GNAC VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

NASHUA, N.H. – Third-seeded Emmanuel College fell to No. 1-seeded Rivier University, 3-1, in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament Championship on Saturday afternoon in the Muldoon Gymnasium.  The Saints, who were making their fifth appearance in the GNAC Finals in the past six years, now end their 2014 campaign at 18-12 overall.  Rivier will advance to the NCAA Tournament with a 29-6 overall record.

Emmanuel jumped out to a 27-25 set one win to take a 1-0 lead in the match.  The Raiders recovered quickly and took the next three sets, 20-25, 18-25, 14-25, to earn the 3-1 championship win.

Rivier junior Chris Markuson (Cupertino, California) was named the Tournament MVP as he laced 14 kills and recorded a .423 hitting percentage on the afternoon. Freshman Tyler Blank (Rochester, NY) registered 45 assists to go along with 10 digs and senior Dan Elitharp (Eastport, NY) totaled four digs as both were named to the All-Tournament Team. Senior Terence Matatall (Danville, NH) knocked down 9 kills, as did junior Shane Spellman (Norwich, Conn.). Senior Aaron Almario (Alhambria, California) recorded 5 total blocks and 8 kills in the four set win. Senior Matt Bynon (Burnt Hills, NY) was his stellar self with 12 digs along the back line and sophomore Nick Ochoa (Whittier, California) had 9 digs.

Emmanuel was led by Zach Whitermore (Whitehall, Pa.) and Ashanti Jackson (Sacramento, Calif.), who combined for 23 of the team's 42 kills on the afternoon. Whitermore was the team leader with 13 kills and 8 digs. Jackson finished with 10 kills and five digs. Junior setter Sean Baxley (Saint James, N.Y.) registered 35 assists, while Ernie Gurule (Los Angeles, Calif.) led the match with his 17 digs.

- Release Courtesy of Rivier University Sports Information