Rivier Tops Salem State 3-0

NASHUA, N.H. – Rivier defeated Salem State 3-0 in women's volleyball action on Wednesday evening. Sydney Racevicius (Woodbury, Conn.) racked up nine kills and 18 digs to lead the Raiders as Rivier improved to 23-6 on the season. The Vikings are now 14-9 on the year.

Rivier held off Salem State in set one, 25-22 after jumping out to a commanding 15-5 lead. The Vikings crept back into the match and following a kill by Brynn O'Neill (Danvers, Mass.) trailed 22-18. A kill by Jasmine Severino (Lawrence, Mass.) and a service ace by Morgan Adams (Scotia, N.Y.) made the score 24-22, but a kill by Allison Zagami (Milford, Mass.) ended the match for Rivier.

The Raiders hit .343 in set two to earn a 25-13 decision. The two teams battled evenly until a 7-0 run by Rivier helped the home team build a 20-10 lead with five straight points coming off the serve of Hayley Macken (Clifton Park, N.Y.). Poor hitting (.056) by Salem State helped the Raiders to a 24-13 lead before Jillian Rabasco (Nashua, N.H.) cemented the victory.

Poor hitting (-.111) plagued the Vikings in set three, allowing the Raiders to take an early 9-5 lead behind two kills by Taylor White (Dunstable, Mass.) and three Salem State errors. The Vikings battled back to tie the match 12-12 on a kill by Emily Hennessey (Hanover, Mass.). Following a quick spurt by Rivier, two service aces by Hennessey and a kill by Darcy McDowell gave Salem State a 17-16 lead. A kill by McDowell and an ace by Maddi O'Connor (Hamilton, Mass.) put the Vikings on top 19-17. However, 5-1 push by the Raiders put them back in charge as back-to-back kills by Julia Zargaj (Groveland, Mass.) gave Rivier the set, 25-22.

Macken had five kills, 31 assists and 12 digs, for Rivier while Taylor Dunster (Sutton, Mass.) finished with six kills and four digs.

Adams led Salem State with 19 assists and Samantha Chaisson (Duxbury, Mass.) added 14 digs. Severino topped the Vikings with six kills.