Rivier Overpowers Men’s Volleyball in GNAC Play, 3-0

THE BASICS 

Score: 
Emmanuel College, 0
Rivier University, 3 (25-16, 25-16, 25-17)

Records: 
Emmanuel College Saints (8-6, 3-2 GNAC)
Rivier University Raiders (6-6, 5-1 GNAC)

Location: Boston, Mass. – Andy Yosinoff Court

Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2022

THE LEAD – Graduate student David Smith (Clinton, Ohio) slammed a match-high 16 kills to power Rivier University over host Emmanuel College, 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-17), Wednesday evening in Great Northeast Athletic Conference men's volleyball action in Boston.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The squads traded leads in the opening set to a 6-6 score before a Smith kill Rivier the lead for good at 7-6 midway through the action. The Raiders hit .370 in the frame collecting 14 kills while holding the Saints to a .062 clip.
• The second set saw both teams hold leads early on before Emmanuel took a 12-10 lead following a kill by first year middle blocker Louis Da Silva (New Bedford, Mass.). The Raiders pulled even at 12 and then the match was all square at 13 and 14 before Rivier closed out the set on a furious 11-2 run to close out EC, 25-16 once again. The visitors were on fire during the set hitting a combined .571 (14-2-21) as a team to take the 2-0 lead.
• Emmanuel scored the first two points in the third frame but the Raiders answered with five straight to go up 5-2. EC matched Rivier at 5-5 before sophomore middle Ryan Peace (Goffstown, N.H.) gave the visitors the lead for good on a kill. They would build a lead up to as many as nine points (16-7) but the Saints hung around, cutting the score to 17-13 on a kill by first year outside hitter Jyles Amirault (Andover, Mass.) before Riv pulled away for the 25-17 win to earn the 3-0 sweep.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• On top of a match-high 16 kills, Smith also hit an impressive .500 on the day (16-3-26) to go along with a match-high 10 digs.
• Senior setter Pedro Campos (Downey, Calif.) dished out 28 assists in the win while EC setter Roman Fabrizio (Salem, N.H.) recorded 18 assists
• Amirault paced Emmanuel with a team-best 10 kills while junior defensive specialist Ryan Cave (Chicopee, Mass.) notched a team-high six digs.
• The Raiders won the battle at the net recording 14 blocks in the win compared to four by the host side.
• Rivier improves to 44-3 all-time vs. Emmanuel and has now won 11 straight.

UP NEXT

• Emmanuel is now idle until Tuesday, March 8 for a midweek doubleheader against Lesley University scheduled for a 7:00 PM start
• Rivier has a quick turnover, taking on Elms College in GNAC play tomorrow (March 3) at 7:00 PM in Nashua, N.H.