BOSTON, Mass. – Senior Chris Markuson (Cupertino, Calif.) finished with a match-high 11 kills and added nine digs while hitting .240, as the Rivier University men's volleyball team defeated 15th-ranked Wentworth Institute of Technology in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action.
Winners of eight straight, the Raiders stand at 15-10 overall and improve to 10-1 in GNAC play while the Leopards drop to 20-6 (9-3).
Down 6-4 to start the match, Wentworth put together four straight points, including a pair of service aces by freshman Sean Mullen (Longwood, Fla.) to lead 8-6. Rivier fought back and neither side could gain a big advantage. After Wentworth went up 16-15 with a service error, the Raiders scored three straight to kick off a 10-4 run. A block by Markuson ended the first set and gave Rivier the 25-20 win. Seniors Cam Phegley-Walker (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Markuson each had four kills in the opening set.
Sophomore Jake Reed's (Arvada, Colo.) four blocks kept Wentworth close up until the Leopards trailed 18-16 in the second set. However, six straight points by Rivier put the visitors within a point of capturing the set. Markuson's last of four second-set kills finished the set to lift the Raiders to a 25-18 win. Freshman Grant Andler (Chicago, Ill.) added four kills in the second set.
Rivier jumped ahead by as much as seven after a Wentworth attack error put the Raiders up 20-13 in the third set. The Leopards responded with six straight points to make it 20-19. Rivier went up 24-22 on the verge of capturing the match, but the set swung in Wentworth's favor when the Black and Gold scored three straight to go up 25-24. The Raiders called timeout and held off Wentworth, scoring three straight to capture the set and match 27-25.
Andler had 10 kills and three blocks while senior Cam Phegley-Walker (Los Angeles, Calif.) added eight kills and four blocks. Sophomore Tyler Blank (Rochester, N.Y.) had 35 assists and junior Mike Hovnanian (Methuen, Mass.) had 11 digs.
Reed finished with eight kills and four blocks while freshman Jon Roat (Macedon, N.Y.) chippe din with seven kills. Sophomores Mike Hansen (Rochester, N.Y.) and Collin Ritter (Feeding Hills, Mass.) has five blocks and 21 assists, respectively.
Both teams continue GNAC play Thursday as Wentworth is at Mount Ida and Rivier is home against Johnson & Wales.
