Raiders End Lasers Season in GNAC Semi-Finals

NASHUA, NH-  Rivier College defeated Lasell College in the quarter finals of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament on Tuesday night, 3-0.  The no. 2 seeded Raiders overcame the no. 7 seed by scores of 25-20, 25-16, and 25-14 to move into the semi-finals on Thursday evening.  Lasell's 2010 campaign culminates at 12-18 overall.

The Raiders dominated play with their mix of 13 service aces and more than doubling the Lasers' total kills (43-21) taking the Lasers out of system. The Lasers were led by junior middle hitter Danielle Drapeau (Biddeford, ME) who put down six kills and added three blocks.  Junior setter Meghan Crozier (Ballston Spa, NY) was also a top performer with 16 assists and six digs, tying for a team-best with defensive specialist Jenna Lynn Geary (Marion, MA).

Sara Biondo (Coventry, RI) also chipped into the offense with five kill and led all Lasell attackers with a .333 clip in the match.  Eileen Barrett (Ludlow, MA) and Taylor Riley (Greencastle, PA) tagged on four kills apiece.

For the Raiders Kenna Finlayson bombed in a match high 16 kills and scooped up a match high 7 digs for the home team.  Junior setter Lauren Saccoccio dished out 32 assists while picking up 7 digs and freshman middle hitter Nicole Peacock scored 8 kills and a match high 5 blocks. 

Rivier will play again on Thursday night in the GNAC playoff semi-finals hosting no. 3 Emerson College at 7:00 p.m.