Raiders re-group to win versus Seahawks, 3-1

NEWPORT, R.I. - Junior Kenna Finlayson (Derry, N.H.) led all players with 20 kills and five aces to help the Rivier College women's volleyball team rally back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Salve Regina University by a score of 3-1 at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Monday night. The Seahawks took the opening set 25-11 before the Raiders battled back to take the next three sets by scores of 25-20, 25-23, and 25-19. The loss drops the Seahawks to 2-5 on the year, while the victory snaps a four-game skid for the Raiders who improve to 2-6 overall.

The Seahawks were paced by sophomore Clare Adams (New Concord, Ohio) who had a team-high 11 kills to go along with a match-best 22 digs. Freshman Jennifer Duggan (Merrimack, N.H.) had a solid all-around game, contributing eight kills, 13 digs, and three aces, while senior Julianne Barry (Randolph, Mass.) added eight kills and six blocks (four solo) in the loss.

Finlayson led the attack for the Raiders adding 12 digs and a pair of blocks to her 20 kills and five aces. Sophomore Nicole Peacock (Warwick, R.I.) also played well, adding nine kills and six blocks in the win, while senior Emileigh Cenedella (Townsend, Mass.) and sophomore Jessica Amaral (East Providence, R.I.) each had 14 digs.

The Seahawks looked great in the opening set, recording an attack percentage of .526. Salve Regina was clinging to a one-point lead at 9-8 when they erupted for 11 straight points, highlighted by four aces from senior Megan Clancy (Chelmsford, Mass.) to open up a 20-8 lead. The Seahawks cruised the rest of the way, as a kill by Barry put the finishing touches on the 25-11 first set victory.

Undeterred, the Raiders fought right back in the second set, jumping out to an early 15-6 lead.

However, the Seahawks wouldn't relinquish the set that easily, charging back to take 12 of the next 15 points to tie the score at 18-all.

Finlayson answered back for the Raiders, serving her team to five straight points, including three aces, as Rivier took the set 25-20.

The third set was an excellent test of wills, as neither team was able to build more than a three-point lead. The score was knotted-up at 21-all when Finlayson delivered consecutive kills to give the Raiders some breathing room as they held on for a 25-23 win.

The fourth and final set was tied 11-11 when the Raiders opened things up with five straight points, including a pair of aces by sophomore Nicole Boucher (Windham, N.H.), and they never looked back. The Seahawks clawed their way back  to within two at 21-19, but the Raiders ran-off four straight points to end both the set and the match.

Both teams will return to action Thursday at 7:00 p.m. with the Raiders hosting Colby-Sawyer and the Seahawks welcoming Framingham State to the Rodgers Recreation Center.