GNAC Road Tri-Match on Docket for Volleyball Saturday

SEPTEMBER 23 | 1 PM MULDOON GYMNASIUM NASHUA, N.H.
Series: Suffolk trails, 16-0 Last Meeting; Nov. 1, 2016, L, 3-0 Eyes on the Match

BOSTON – The Suffolk volleyball team makes the trip to the Granite State this weekend where it will open league play at GNAC tri-match Saturday, Sept. 23. The Rams get the action underway at 11 a.m. versus the tri-match's hosts, Rivier, before taking on the reigning conference champions, Johnson & Wales, at 1 p.m.  

SOCIALIZE
Stay up-to-date with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics by connecting with the Rams on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Be sure to use the hashtag #RamNation for an insider's look at Suffolk's teams and student-athletes.

LAST TIME OUT
The Suffolk volleyball team forced a fifth set, but was unable to overcome Gordon at the Bennett Center, falling, 3-2 Thursday night. The Fighting Scots won by set scores, 25-12, 23-25, 25-16, 19-25 and 15-10.

MORE READING: Volleyball Can't Outlast Gordon, Falls in Five

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk takes a 5-4 overall record in competition. The Rams saw their four-match win streak come to a halting stop at Gordon Thursday night in a five-set thriller. 

The freshman force of Hannah Fabiano has added a spark on both sides of the net for the blue and gold. The middle hitter leads Suffolk's attack with 2.87 kps and contributes 2.50 dps and 0.43 bps to the defensive effort. Talia Lombardo is also an all-around performer for the Rams. The junior registers 1.97 kps, hands out 2.56 aps and serves 1.21 aces per set. Defensively, the outside hitter adds 2.09 dps. Liz Kerek serves as Suffolk's primary setter with the senior setting up 4.56 assists per set.

RAIDERS REVIEW
The 9-3 overall Rivier Raiders, who are 2-0 against conference competition, take a seven-match win streak into the weekend, which includes four sweeps. The Raiders most recently took down Rhode Island College and Mount Ida in straight sets to prep for Saturday's action. 

Taylor Dunster's 3.46 kps anchor Rivier's attack, while the sophomore outside is second on the squad with 3.83 dps. Julia Zargaj adds 2.50 kps and 0.71 bps with Hayley Macken's 9.06 assists per frame setting up the Raiders' 11.23 kps offense. Bethany Trevino also pitches in, leading the way defensive with 4.57 dps.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk has yet to defeat the Raiders in the all-time series, which dates back to 2003.
• Rivier leads the all-time meetings, 15-0.
• 13 of the 15 meetings have been decided in straight sets with the other pair going four sets.

EYES ON THE MATCH

WILDCAT WAYS
Johnson & Wales will put its undefeated 11-0 overall and 1-0 league ledger on the line this weekend in the New Hampshire. The Wildcats have cruised past opponents this season, sweeping 10 of its 11 competitors. 

Maria Coniglio (3.36 kps) and Katie Liedhold (3.08 kps) each produce over 3.00 kps for JWU's conference-best 14.21 kps. Setter Brylee Frank is solely responsible for the Rams' offense success with the sophomore dishing out 10.47 aps. 

Defensively, Elyssa Nicolas' 4.69 dps paces the pack with Maria Coiglio and Katie Liedhold adding 3.14 dps and 2.85 dps, respectively. At the net, its Kate Walker's 0.86 bps leading the way.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• JWU is undefeated against Suffolk, 16-0.
• The Wildcats have swept the Rams 13 times with one match going the distance and two being decided to four sets.

EYES ON THE MATCH

UP NEXT
Suffolk remains on the road as it makes the short trip to Fenway Wednesday, Sept. 27 for a midweek match at Emmanuel. The conference contest is set for a 7 p.m. start.