COMEBACK FALLS SHORT FOR MEN’S VOLLEYBALL IN 3-2 SETBACK TO RIVIER

BOSTON, Mass. – The Rivier University men's volleyball team prevailed over Emmanuel College, 3-2 (25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 20-25, 15-11), despite a valiant comeback by the host Saints who battled in the team's third five-set thriller over the last five days. The Raiders remain atop the Great Northeast Athletic Conference with a 10-1 GNAC slate, improving to 15-9 overall while the loss drops the Saints to 7-10 overall and 5-6 in GNAC action.

In the decisive fifth set, EC jumped out to a 1-0 lead with the help of a Rivier attacking error but three straight points by the Raiders gave them the lead for good in the frame. Rivier pulled ahead at the court switch with an 8-4 lead following an error by the Saints but Emmanuel was able to fight back and pull within a point at 11-10 after an attack error by the visitors. Following a long rally, freshman opposite Grant Andler (Chicago, Ill.) slammed home a kill to make it 12-10 and the Saints were unable to get any closer as the Raiders held on for the 15-11 win to take the match, 3-2.

Rivier took the first two sets of the day behind strong play from senior outside hitter Chris Markuson (Cupertino, Calif.) and sophomore setter Tyler Blank (Rochester, N.Y.). The duo hooked up for nine kills in the two sets and powered the Raiders to a commanding 2-0 lead in the match while holding Emmanuel to a dismal .081 hitting percentage.

The Saints' rally began midway through the third as the Raiders held an 11-10 lead and looked poised to complete the sweep. An error by the Raiders followed by a kill from senior outside hitter Ashanti Jackson (Sacramento, Calif.) pulled the hosts in front 12-11. Markuson evened the score with a kill to make it 12-all before junior middle Julian Hess (Venice, Calif.) gave Emmanuel the lead for good with one of his four kills in the set. EC held on for the 25-22 win to pull the match to 2-1.

Emmanuel opened the fourth set on fire, rattling off six consecutive points behind the service game of senior setter Sean Baxley (Saint James, N.Y.) and the early lead was enough to carry them into the fifth set. Despite never trailing in the frame, the Raiders made things interesting late in the set as Andler pulled Rivier to within a point with a kill to make it 20-19. Three consecutive Raider hitting errors erased the thought of a comeback to help Emmanuel post a 25-20 win and force the fifth set.

Markuson lead all hitters with a match-high 24 kills while senior middle Matt Tutino (Manorville, N.Y.) added 13 kills. Andler finished with 12 kills while senior outside hitter Sam Kazlas (Allentown, Pa.) was also in double-figures with 10 kills in the win. Blank ended the afternoon with 58 assists while junior defensive specialist Mike Hovanian (Methuen, Mass.) posted 13 digs.

Jackson ended the afternoon with a team-high 17 kills and 13 digs for Emmanuel while Hess and junior outside hitter Barrett Wingard (York, Pa.) posted 10 kills apiece. Baxley finished the match with 52 helpers.

Prior to the start of the match, the Emmanuel Athletic Department recognized and honored the nine seniors from the 2015 Men's Volleyball program. 

The Saints return to action on Tuesday, March 31 when they travel to Lasell College for a 7:00 PM GNAC tilt while the Raiders head back to Boston the same evening to face Wentworth at 7:00 PM in battle between the top two squads in the GNAC.