GNAC Semifinals Sends Volleyball to No. 21 Johnson & Wales

THURSDAY, NOV. 7 // 7:30 PM  WILDCAT CENTER // PROVIDENCE, R.I. LIVE STATS // VIDEO
EYES ON THE MATCH SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK TRAILS, 0-20 LAST MEETING // OCT. 9, 2019, L, 3-0 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // NEVER STREAK // L20

BOSTON – Suffolk volleyball will continue its historic season in the GNAC Semifinals Thursday, Nov. 6 as the fourth-seeded Rams head to top-ranked Johnson & Wales, who comes in at No. 21 in the latest AVCA Coaches' Poll. First serve at the Wildcat Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

LET'S TALK ABOUT #RAMNATION
RamNation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

2019 GNAC VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Quarterfinals – Tuesday, Nov. 5 
Match 1: #1 Johnson & Wales defeated #8 Lasell, 3-0 – Box Score
Match 2: #4 Suffolk defeated #5 Colby Sawyer, 3-0 – Box Score
Match 3: #3 Rivier defeated #6 Norwich, 3-0 – Box Score
Match 4: #2 Simmons defeated #7 Saint Joseph's (Maine), 3-0, - Box Score  

Semifinals – Thursday, Nov. 7
Match 5: #4 Suffolk at #1 Johnson & Wales – Live Stats | Live Video 
Match 6: #3 Rivier at #2 Simmons – Live Stats 

Championship -Saturday, Nov. 9 (at highest remaining seed)
Match 7: Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6 

RAMS IN THE GNAC TOURNAMENT
Suffolk secured its spot in the GNAC semifinals for the second straight season and second time overall with its first-ever home playoff victory, a straight set decision over fifth-seed Colby Sawyer Tuesday night.  

The Rams, who are in the field as the fourth seed for the second time, first since 2005, look to make their way to the conference championship for the first time in program history.

The blue-and-gold made its program debut in the semifinals a year ago where it fell at Johnson & Wales in straight sets. 

LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk volleyball secured its first-ever season 20th win in post-season action as the fourth-seeded Rams put together a straight set victory over fifth seed Colby Sawyer in the GNAC Quarterfinal's Tuesday night at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court. The post-season triumph came via set scores 25-21, 25-20 and 25-20. 

MORE READING: Volleyball Captures 20th Win in GNAC Quarterfinals Sweep of Colby Sawyer

RAMS REVIEW
Suffolk sealed its best season yet behind its 3-0 GNAC Quarterfinals win over Colby Sawyer to move to 20-11 on the year.  

Juniors Hannah Fabiano and Kayla Barbera have been catalyst to the Rams' achievements as the pair anchors the 10.46 kps offense with 2.91 kps and 2.42 kps, respectively. Harmony Johnson has handled the setting responsibilities as a rookie, dishing out 8.29 dps.  

Dakhensey Marcellus (3.81 dps) and Kenzley Bell (3.49 dps) are the dynamic defensive duo with Stephanie Rheaume's 0.55 bps leading the way at the net. 

WILDCAT WAYS
Johnson & Wales (25-4) is on an eight-match win streak, which includes six sweeps, and Tuesday's quarterfinal tangle with Lasell.  

Maria Coniglio (3.46 kps) and Kate Walker (3.19 kps) each produce over 3.00 kps for JWU's conference-best 13.16 kps offense. Brylee Frank is solely responsible for setting up the Wildcat offense with 9.97 aps.  

Elyssa Nicholas' 4.76 dps pace the way defensively with Coniglio and Frank adding 3.03 dps and 2.46 dps, respectively. Walker leads the way at the net with 0.80 bps. 

WE MEET AGAIN
Suffolk volleyball saw its five-match win streak come to a halt October 9 to the hands of nationally ranked Johnson & Wales. The then-No. 17 Wildcats swept the Rams in GNAC action by set scores 25-11, 25-8 and 25-11.  

MORE READING:No. 17 Johnson & Wales Snaps Volleyball's Streak in Straight Sets

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The Rams have yet to take down the Wildcats as the blue-and-gold trails the all-time series, 0-20. 
• JWU has swept Suffolk 16 times with one match going five sets and a pair being decided in four. 

RAMS VS. WILDCATS IN GNAC TOURNAMENT

• Suffolk meets JWU in the tournament for the fourth time, second straight in the semifinals. 
• The Rams are 0-4 versus the Wildcats in the playoffs. 

EYES ON THE MATCH

COMING UP
The winner of Thursday's tangle advances to the title tilt set for Saturday, Nov. 9 against the victor of second seed Simmons and third seed Rivier.