Blazers Fall At Rivier In Three Sets

Nashua, N.H. – The Elms College men's volleyball team fell 3-0 at Rivier University in non-conference play on Thursday in a matchup between two programs receiving top-15 votes in the AVCA Coaches Poll.

The loss drops Elms to 8-3 on the season while Rivier improves to 9-5 and avenges 3-0 loss to Elms earlier this season. Rivier took a pair of two-point set victories, 26-24 and 25-23, to open the match with a 2-0 lead before winning 25-21 in the third set to complete the sweep.

Elms freshman Jovanny Torres (Juncos, P.R.) was the match-leader with 10 kills while senior Gabriel Reis Levy (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) added nine kills for the Blazers. Junior setter John Dunphy (Farmington, Conn.) handed out 20 assists and freshman Jeremy Torres (Juncos, P.R.) scooped up a match-high nine digs. Senior Qua'Sean Crowe (Stamford, Conn.) added three blocks and four kills.

A trio of Raiders set the tone offensively as senior Grant Andler (Chicago. Ill.), senior Matt Heckler (Simi Valley, Calif.) and junior Dashaun Graham (Highland Falls, N.Y.) each had nine kills with Heckler hitting .667. Senior setter, and recently named Sports Imports/AVCA Division III Player of the Week, Garrett Bucklin (Jamestown, R.I.) dished out 36 assists with five digs for Rivier and Heckler led the defensive effort along the net as he recorded four total blocks. Junior Dahnny Rogers (Penfield, N.Y.) patrolled the backline with seven digs as sophomore David Smith (Clinton, Ohio) hammered down eight kills in the win, 

Elms, will be back in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Dean College for a 7pm game.