Men's Volleyball Sees Upset Bid Fall Short in GNAC Semi's at Rivier

NASHUA, N.H. (4/10/14) – The Lasell College men's volleyball team narrowly missed out on upsetting the top-seeded and nationally ranked Rivier University, falling in three sets on Thursday evening. Lasell took the Raiders to the brink in all three sets, losing 31-29, 25-23 and 26-24 in their quest to reach the GNAC championship game for the first time in program history. Lasell wrapped up their season with a 20-11 record overall while Rivier improved to 28-6 for the 2014 campaign.

The Lasers held a 24-21 advantage in the opening set, allowing Rivier to tie the set on a kill by Aaron Almario and a pair of aces by Chris Markunson. The two teams continued to trade points before Rivier clinched the opening set, 31-29 on a Shane Spellman ace.

Rivier ran out to a quick 4-1 lead in the second set, but Lasell battled back, tying the set at 5-5 and hanging in with the Raiders. The score was tied at 15-15 midway through the set when Lasell ran off five straight points to build a 20-15 lead. River responded with a four point run that cut the Lasell lead to 20-19. Jeff Vautrin stopped the hosts run briefly with a kill, but Rivier scored the next three points to take a 22-21 lead. Lasell tied the score at 22 on a Rivier service error and again at 23-23 on a Dan Raffol kill but were unable to find a way to produce a key point, falling 25-23 in the second set.

The third set was another nip-and-tuck affair, with Rivier leading by no more than three, including at 19-16 before Lasell rallied. The Lasers scored three straight points, tying the set at 19-19 then battling back from a two-point deficit 24-22 at set and match point. Lasell tied the score at 24-24 but once again was unable to get over the hump, falling 26-24 in the final set.

Rivier advanced to the GNAC finals where they will host #3 seed Emmanuel who advanced with a five set win at Wentworth on Thursday evening as well.