Momentum Drives Men's Volleyball over Rivier

BOSTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology men's volleyball team (8-6, 6-0 GNAC) sank the Rivier Raiders (6-7, 3-1 GNAC) for the first time in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon, as the Leopards swept the Raiders behind 12 kills each from sophomore Sam Etter (Massillon, Ohio) and junior Jacob LaBouliere (Pipersville, Pa.).

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After traded points started the first set, Wentworth skied off to 7-1 advantage with key kills from Etter and freshman Matthew Zegowitz (Westford, Mass.). After a battle back from the Raiders to 8-4 and 9-6 scores, the Leopards rocketed to a 15-6 lead on a slew of errors and a kill by LaBouliere. Wentworth eventually continued their lead to 21-9 with kills from Zegowitz and Etter, and after a slight push back from the Raiders, the Leopards snagged a 25-16 set win off of a block from LaBouliere and senior Tristan McDonough (Shelton, Conn.).
• Rivier started the second set with a huge advantage marked by a 6-0 score, later 6-2 thanks to kills from Etter and senior Hunter Oshman (Pennington, N.J.). The two teams traded points, in some instances with the Leopards coming as close as four points thanks to a kill by McDonough, however, the Raiders extended their lead to 15-8. A slew of aces from LaBouliere helped the Leopards come back to tie at 15-all before the two teams traded points. Ahead 18-17, the Leopards gained some separation on a Zegowtiz kill at 22-19 before three-straight LaBouliere kills gave the hosts a 25-21 set win and a 2-0 match lead.
• After a Rivier point started the third set, the Leopards matched with a kill by sophomore Dave Arellanes (North Aurora, Ill.). Holding a 4-2 lead, Rivier surrendered points on kills by LaBouliere that sandwiched a kill by freshman Brayden Green (Lake Worth, Fla.), marking a 6-4 score. The Leopards extended their lead to three on another Arellanes kill at an 11-8 score. The Raiders kept the deficit tight at two points until a slew of kills by LaBouliere gave the Leopards a 17-14 lead, and eventually a 20-15 lead. Kills by Etter and Arellanes in the final going guided the Black & Gold to a 25-18 set win, giving the hosts a victory sweep.

NOTEWORTHY:

• Along with his tie for the team-high 12 kills, LaBouliere also notched four aces.
• Zegowitz and McDonough assisted in blocking four balls each.

SERIES NOTES:

• Wentworth has won the last three meetings with Rivier, all by way of sweep.

NEXT UP:

• The Black & Gold visit Lasell on Thursday night.

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