BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Chris Markuson (Cupertino, Calif.) hit .545 with 14 kills and a pair of blocks to help the Rivier College men's volleyball team remain perfect (7-0) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play as the 15th-ranked Raiders defeated Wentworth, 3-0.
With the win, Rivier improves to 17-11 while Wentworth sees its five-match win streak come to an end and falls to 15-7 (6-2).
The Raiders it .391 as a team to take a 25-19 win in the opening frame. Wentworth got four kills from junior Brian Mann (East Freetown, Mass.) in the frame to go along with three apiece from sophomores Rami Akouri (Fall River, Mass.) and Sean Donahue (Lincoln, R.I.).
A tightly contested second game saw both teams post attack percentages over .300 as the Leopards hit .375 as a team and Rivier hit .344. Wentworth got six of its 11 kills from junior Ross Burdett (Needham, Mass.), but fell behind by a 2-0 score after losing, 25-22.
Rivier closed out the match with a close, 25-20 win in the third game and would hit over .300 again (.323). Wentworth, which was held to an attack percentage of .100 for the game, got four kills from Mann.
Junior Terence Matatall (Danville, N.H.) hit .467 with seven kills on 15 swings and added five blocks, while classmate Aaron Almario (Alhambra, Calif.) had seven kills and three blocks. Senior Steve Visentin (Cheshire, Conn.) had 34 assists and four blocks in the win. As a team the Raiders hit .349.
Mann led the Leopards with 11 kills and an attack percentage of .471, to go along with two blocks. Burdett recorded a double-double, with 10 kills and 10 digs, Akouri added seven kills and eight digs, while junior Mike Buonincontra (Shelton, Conn.) had four blocks. Senior Tyler Moriarty (Wilbraham, Mass.) had 28 assists.
Both teams continue GNAC play on Saturday, competing in tri-matches. Rivier will be at Emmanuel to face the Saints and Albertus Magnus while Wentworth will be at Emerson to face the Lions and Lasell.
