SAINTS BOW OUT OF GNAC TOURNEY TO TOP-SEEDED RIVIER, 3-0

(Nashua, N.H.) Top-seeded Rivier University was too much for Emmanuel College on Thursday evening in Great Northeast Athletic Conference men's volleyball Semifinals action, sweeping the Saints 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 21-25) at the Muldoon Center.  The Raiders, who are ranked 13th in the most recent AVCA National Poll, improve to 24-17 overall while EC wraps up the year with a 21-13 record.

Junior outside hitter David Smith (Clinton, Oh.) led the Raiders with 12 kills on 24 attempts hitting at .375.  Senior Dashaun Graham (Highland Park, N.Y.) had a day as he earned seven kills and two blocks.  

Freshman Jack Normandin (Clifton Park, N.Y.) soared high today dropping 6 kills on those below and Senior Khaynen (Pittsburgh, Pa.) matched his teammate with six kills on 11 attempts while hitting an efficient .545.  The upperclassman also notched two assists, four digs and three blocks.  Junior Francis Kokoros (Braintree, Mass.) put up some great numbers as he tallied five kills and three aces.  He also collected five digs and a solo block. 

Junior Cam Roth (Coventry, R.I.) denied the Saints 11 scoring opportunities by way of digs. Junior Pedro Campos (Downey, Calif.) proved yet again why he was honored with the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week four times.  The setter averages 10.20 assists per set and totalled 969 assists in just 28 matches. 

Much credit is due to the Saints as they finished the season 21-13 overall and 9-5 within the GNAC.  Some key student-athletes were two upperclassmen.  Senior outside hitter Erik English (Simi Valley, Calif.) had an outstanding season as he recently earned GNAC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 11 and Defensive Player of the Week back in Week 6.  English finished with a team-high 11 kills in his final match with the Saints. Senior Alex Silva (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) also earned a Defensive Player of the Week honor in week eight and paced the Saints at the net with four total blocks.

Junior Justyn Schueler (Trumbull, Conn.) added 10 kills for EC while junior setter Seamus McDonagh (Long Beach, N.Y.) dished out 26 assists. 

The Raiders are now slated to host Wentworth Institute of Technology this Saturday at 7:00 PM in the GNAC Championship at the Muldoon Gymnasium.  This matchup was decided after the Leopards dropped the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University in their GNAC Semifinal tonight, 3-2. The 21 wins for Emmanuel marks the most in a season since 2011.

*Release courtesy of Rivier University Athletic Communications