The Rivier men's volleyball team saw its otherwise successful season come to an end Thursday night in the GNAC semis. (File photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

BOSTON – The Rivier men’s volleyball team bowed out of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament after falling 3-0 to No. 15 Wentworth in the semifinals.

With the loss, the Raider end the 2026 campaign with a record of 14-12, while the Leopards move on the finals where they will face Lasell.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first set featured a back-and-forth start with multiple ties through the middle, including 13-13. Rivier stayed within reach behind kills from senior Bassam Awde, first-year Everett Boyer, and senior Matthew McCloskey, but Wentworth created separation late. Trailing 17-15, the Leopards used back-to-back service aces to extend the lead, followed by an 8-3 stretch to close out the set.

The Raiders took control early in the second, jumping out to a 3-0 lead behind back-to-back service aces from Boyer. Wentworth chipped away early and then erupted for a 16-5 run, flipping the script to take a 19-10 lead. Rivier picked up points from Awde and junior Tyler Dickinson down the stretch, but the Leopards maintained the gap, closing out the frame, 25-16.

Wentworth carried momentum into the third, opening on a 4-0 run behind two service aces. Rivier answered with three kills from Dickinson however, the Leopards maintained their lead. The Raiders went on a 4-0 late in the set, but the lead was too great, with Wentworth eventually closing out the match, 25-15.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Boyer led the team with six kills followed by Awde and Dickinson with five each…Junior Justin Barish recorded 18 assists…First-year Luis Cruz led the team with five digs.

UP NEXT

The Raiders look to return to postseason play and compete for a GNAC Title in 2027.