NASHUA, N.H. – Top-seeded Rivier University (20-5) defeated #8 Saint Joseph's College (9-22) in straight sets (25-8, 25-12, 25-8) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball Tournament Quarterfinal on Tuesday evening.
With the win, Rivier advances to the second round of the GNAC Tournament and will host Regis College in semifinal action on Thursday night. For the Monks, the loss signals the end of the 2021 campaign.
The setback also brings an end to college volleyball for the Monks' five seniors: Nicole Baron (Derry, N.H.), Hannah Bureau (Alton, N.H.), Sarah Hotchkiss (New Durham, N.H.), Olivia Kent (Ellington, Conn.), and Sarah Quinn (Dover, N.H.). This group of seniors helped Saint Joseph's earn GNAC Tournament berths in each of their three seasons. All five players were four-year members of the SJC women's volleyball program.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Raiders' offensive attack enjoyed a prolific evening, as the hosts posted a .453 attack percentage – their second-highest rate of the season - with 37 kills and just eight errors in the triumph. Conversely, the Monks tallied 14 kills and 18 errors for a negative-.056 hitting percentage in the loss.
Rivier also registered 14 service aces in the quick-paced match.
LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:
- Kent led the Monks with five kills
- Junior Hanna Holden (Stoughton, Mass.) notched 10 assists and four digs
- Quinn, Hanna Webster (Alvin, Texas), and Allison McMullen (Jacksonville, Fla.) registered two kills apiece
- Freshman Sierra Burns (Peyton, Colo.) added five digs
LEADERS – RIVIER:
- Sydney Racevicius led all players with 13 kills and eight service aces
- Lily Sills and Lily Blodgett produced nine kills apiece
- Avery Pollard dealt 35 assists
- Sofia Pawlusik and Leah Giampietro added eight digs apiece
