Matt McCloskey led the Raiders with 11 kills in a sweep of Elms at the Muldoon Center on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – The Rivier men’s volleyball team defeated Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Elms Thursday evening at the Muldoon Center.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 9-10 (2-1 GNAC), while the Blazers fell to 13-8 (1-1 GNAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms opened the match with a 4-1 lead, using an early service ace and a kill to establish control. Rivier pulled even at 5-5 after a first-year Kenji Clark service ace and a kill. The set remained close as both sides traded points to 11-11, with kills coming from senior Matthew McCloskey and and Clark. Elms then created a 15-11 advantage with a series of kills. Rivier responded and tied the set 17-17 behind a Clark ace and a kill from senior Bassam Awde. After additional back-and-forth scoring and junior Aidan Combs breaking a 20-20 deadlock with a kill, Rivier took a 23-21 lead following a forced setting error and a McCloskey kill. McCloskey closed the frame 25-23 with another kill off a pass from junior Justin Barish.

Rivier opened up 2-0 with a block and a kill before Elms brought the score within one, 4-3, on consecutive kills. Rivier regained a 7-4 lead with a McCloskey kill, but the Blazers evened it 7-7 with a block. The teams continued to exchange points, reaching 10-10. Rivier tied the set again, 17-17, on a kill by junior Tyler Dickinson, but a service ace from Juan Jones brought the Blazers level at 19-19. Rivier then moved in front 22-20 with a service ace from sophomore Cody Fitzpatrick and a Dickinson kill. Clark ended the set 25-22 with a kill assisted by Barish.

Elms began the third set up 2-0 after consecutive kills, but Rivier tied the score 2-2 with a kill and an Elms attack error. The set remained even through 8-8, highlighted by back-to-back service aces from Barish. Elms moved ahead 11-9 with a kill and an ace before Rivier tied it again at 14-14 following a McCloskey kill and solo block. Elms reached set point at 24-21, but Rivier tied it 24-24 after an Awde service ace and a Blazers-forced error. McCloskey and the Blazers traded kills before Rivier secured the match 28-26 on consecutive Blazers setting errors.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

McCloskey, Clark, and Dickinson combined for 30 of Rivier’s 43 kills.

McCloskey recorded the .391 hitting percentage, a team best.

Barish registered 39 assists in the contest.

Awde posted a team-high 12 digs.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to the court next Tuesday, March 17 for a non-conference matchup with Nichols. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.

BASEBALL

SUNY CANTON 8, RIVIER 7

With the result at Myrtle Beach’s Crosley Field, the Raiders dropped to 1-4, while the Roos improved to 3-4.

The Roos jumped ahead 3-0 after the first inning.

To lead off the second inning, sophomore David Miller laced a double to right-center. Classmate Brady Balint successfully laid down a bunt along the third-base line to move Miller to third. First-year Kian Littlefield then reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing Miller to cross the plate, 3-1

After two scoreless innings, Canton added a run in the fourth and another in the fifth to extend its lead to 5-1.

The Raiders surged ahead for the first time in the bottom of the ninth. Senior Owen Medlock drew a walk, followed by a base hit from classmate Dylan Aliberti. With two outs, junior Sebastian Reis singled to right-center to load the bases.

Three consecutive walks then brought the Raiders within one, cutting the deficit to 5-4.

Still with the bases loaded and two outs, junior Liam Stott ripped a double to deep center, clearing the bases with three RBI to give the Raiders a 7-5 lead.

Canton pushed two runners across to tie the game at 7-7 and force extra innings. In the 10th, the Roos plated the go-ahead run to secure the 8-7 victory

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Balint went 3-of-4 with an RBI and a run…Stott led the squad with three RBI

Littlefield went 1-for-4 at the plate, adding a walk while scoring a run and driving in an RBI.

UP NEXT

The Raiders are back in action with a 9 a.m. first pitch against a non-conference opponent, La Roche, today at Ebbets Field in Myrtle Beach, S.C.