BOSTON, Mass. – For the third straight season, the top-seeded Wentworth Institute of Technology men's volleyball team (30-1) captured the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship title, downing the third-seeded Rivier Raiders (19-14) in straight sets Saturday afternoon.
Each of the Leopards last three titles have been won in front of a packed home crowd, while Wentworth's 2024 championship clinches the program's fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth and sixth overall.
Juniors Sam Etter (Massillon, Ohio) and Josh Milke (Eastampton, N.J.) earned their respective spots on the GNAC all-tournament team while senior Jacob LaBouliere (Pipersville, Pa.) was named the tournament's most outstanding player.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A kill by Etter helped push the Leopards' lead to 9-3 in the first set before a kill by LaBouliere marked a 11-4 lead. Rivier went on a run, eventually tying the score at 18-all, before kills by Etter and sophomore Nicolai Bell (Moraga, Calif.) helped give Wentworth a 21-18 advantage. Kills by LaBouliere and senior Jacob Waga (East Northport, N.Y.) helped the Leopards win a 25-22 set.
- The two teams traded scores to begin the second frame, marking a 6-6 score, before the Leopards separated themselves to take a massive 14-6 lead on a slew of Raider errors. Rivier tried to claw back, but kills by LaBouliere, Bell, and Etter helped the hosts hold on for a 25-15 set win.
- The Leopards opened the third set on a 9-4 run before kills by LaBouliere and Bell marked a 12-6 score. A kill by LaBouliere continued the lead to 16-12 before two more from the senior marked a 21-19 lead. Rivier hung in in the later going, before ultimately dropping the set 25-22 with the final point clinched by a LaBouliere finish.
SERIES NOTES:
- The Leopards have won in seven straight meetings against the Raiders, including two earlier this season.
NEXT UP:
- Wentworth awaits their first opponent in the NCAA Division III Tournament as the Selection Show takes place Monday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m.
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