NASHUA, N.H. – After making their return to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's volleyball tournament for the first time since 2012, #8 seeded Mount Ida College was eliminated by top-seed and defending champions Rivier University 3-0 on Tuesday evening at Muldoon Gymnasium.
The Raiders (27-5) were victorious by scores of 25-9, 25-18 and 25-14 to end the Mustang's season at 12-18 and advance to their 14th consecutive GNAC semifinals. It also brought to a close the careers of Mount Ida seniors Taylor Davis (Machiasport, Maine) and Kelcey Koolman (Bedford, N.H.).
Mount Ida was led by sophomore Mary Kate Reidy (Agawam, Mass.), who totaled five kills and five digs. Davis dished out 13 assists and Koolman had eight digs to solidify her place as the all-time career leader in digs in program history, and to tie herself for sixth on the all-time GNAC career digs list.
Juniors Molly Alkinburg (Port Deposit, Md.) and Alysha Dunbar (Quincy, Mass.) had three kills apiece, while freshman Kristy Walton (Fairhaven, Mass.) had two kills, six digs and 1.5 blocks to cap her first year as a Mustang.
Junior Lauren Silverman (Chelmsford, Mass.) powered the offensive attack for the Raider as she hammered down 12 kills, recorded a .556 hitting percentage and totaled five blocks. Senior Emily O'Reilly (San Francisco, Calif.) helped direct the offense with 28 assists while sophomore libero Bethany Trevino (Westminster, Colo.) collected 11 digs along the back line. Junior Molly McCormack (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) added six kills and seven digs with senior Jackie Pisecco (Chelmsford, Mass.) providing six kills in the three set win.
Next up for the Raiders, as they look to three-peat as GNAC Tournament Champions, will be #4 Emmanuel College on Thursday night at 7:00 pm.