NASHUA, N.H. – Senior Chris Markuson (Cupertino, Calif.) had a match-high 19 kills while adding a pair of service aces, as the Rivier College men's volleyball team defeated Wentworth Institute of Technology, 3-0, in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon at Muldoon Gymnasium.
Wentworth finishes the regular season at 21-7 overall (10-4 GNAC), while Rivier finishes 18-9 (13-1 GNAC) to take the top spot in the regular season GNAC standings for the eighth straight season.
After sophomore Mike Hansen (Rochester, N.Y.) put the Leopards up 5-2 with a kill, Rivier scored six straight to lead 8-5 in the first. The teams exchanged kills back and forth up until they were tied at 23-all. Wentworth had the chance to take the first set twice after going up 25-24 and 26-25, but the Raiders scored three straight and finished the set with a service ace by senior Sam Kazlas (Allentown, Pa.) to take the set 28-26.
After being down 9-8 in the second set, Rivier put together an 8-1 run to lead the Leopards 17-9. Markuson's six kills in the set helped lift the Raiders and his service ace captured the set 25-19.
Rivier opened the final set with four straight points and a 7-1 run. Sophomore Mike Hansen (Rochester, N.Y.) had three kills to help bring Wentworth within two of capturing the set. However Markuson continued on the offensive, as he recorded seven kills in the final set, including the match-clinching kill to take it 25-23.
Senior Matt Tutino (Manorville, N.Y) had six kills in the win while River hit .390 as a team.
Freshman Jon Roat (Macedon, N.Y.) and sophomore Jake Reed (Arvada, Colo.) led the Leopards with eight kills each. Sophomore Collin Ritter (Feeding Hills, Mass.) had 33 assists.
Wentworth will play next in the GNAC Tournament. Pairings will be announced Saturday night.
