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Raider set sights on third straight GNAC title
A young but battle tested 2009 Raider squad looks to defend their GNAC Championship and become the only team in school history to win 3 straight GNAC crowns. With only 2 seniors and 3 juniors, this year's team will rely heavily on the 5 sophomores and 7 first year players to win the coveted GNAC crown and make yet another NCAA appearance. The road to what could be their fifth consecutive GNAC Championship match appearance will not be easy as RIV, who starts the season ranked 15th in New England, will challenge some of the best teams in New England.
Returning Players
Seniors Lindsay Chace (5'7", MH, E. Providence, R.I.) and Becky Gautreau (5'4", L/DS, Burrillville, R.I.) will look to provide solid leadership to the Raiders this year. Chace, a selection to the GNAC All Tournament Team in 2008, is coming off her best season to date and hopes to move up as one of the all time leaders in blocks at Rivier while Gautreau will be looking to build on an impressive 2008 campaign of steady passing and defense.
The junior trio of captain Nicole Rodriguez (5'8", MH, Newton, MA), Danielle Jacques (5'9", OPP, Derry, NH), and Brittni Taylor (5'7", OH/OPP, East Lyme, CT) will be looked upon to help with steady leadership and be a big part of the Raiders offense and block. Rodriguez finished her sophomore season first on the team for blocks and third overall for kills while Jacques ended 2008 ranked second on the team for kills and third on the team for blocks. Taylor will build on her utility player status from last season and take a shot at becoming a full time player on the outside this season.
Super sophomores Emileigh Cenedella (5'4", DS/OH, Townsend, MA), Lauren Saccoccio (5'6", OH/DS, Warwick, RI), and Danielle Stoodley (5'5", L/DS, Salem, NH) will be counted on once again for their superb ball control skills and tough serving. Cenedella led all Raiders in 2008 with 65 ace serves and was second on the team with 280 digs while Saccoccio was second, third and fourth for aces, digs, and kills respectively in her rookie season. Stoodley was tremendous in her first ever GNAC playoffs garnishing GNAC Rookie of the Week honors for her efforts. Caitlin Callahan (5'6", S, Dedham, MA) will look to take control of the offense this season as the Raiders setter and should also be a threat behind the service line with a tough jump floater. Kate-Lyn Breault (5'10", MH, Hudson, NH) rounds off this highly skilled class at the middle hitter position and should help RIV at the net with her blocking and hitting.
Newcomers
This year's newcomers should help bolster the Raiders offense and add some needed size and strength to the front row. Kenna Finlayson (5'9", OH, Derry, NH) and Courtney Roberts-Cookson (5'7", OH, Hooksett, NH) both were key players on the Latitude 42 Club team that won the New England Regional Volleyball Association championship. Look for these two players to make an immediate impact. Amelia Iverson (5'9", MH, Sharon, MA) and Meghan Farrell (5'8", OH/OPP, Marlborough, MA) will add needed versatility to the line-up as well. Iverson is a two-time team MVP at Sharon High School and a Hockmock League All Star while Farrell earned a spot on the Mid-Watch League All Star team for both her junior and senior year. Christi Pratte (5'6", S, Manchester, NH) garnished MVP honors for both her junior and senior seasons at Trinity High School and will be a great addition with her setting skills, team leadership qualities, and overall enthusiasm. Hannah Sturman (5'1", DS, Killingworth, CT) and Amanda Russo ( 5'0", DS, Billerica, MA) will jump right in with the sophomores and add more depth with ball control in the back row.
"It won't be easy this season after graduating a tremendously talented and proven group of seniors; the returning players and new comers will have some big shoes to fill. However, we have a great returning class that has been through the trenches before and that experience should be able to help them take the next step in elevating their game. We also have a talented freshmen class looking to prove they belong. Look for this team to get stronger and stronger as the season goes on."
- Head Coach Craig Kolek
Rivier kicks off it's season in Virginia Beach at the Virginia Wesleyan College Invitational on Friday September 4 and Saturday September 5.
The Raiders schedule will be as follows:
Fri Sept 4 Christopher Newport College 5:00pm
Fri Sept 4 Gwynedd-Mercy College 7:00pm
Sat Sept 5 University of Mary Washington 12:00pm
Sat Sept 5 Virginia Wesleyan College 2:00pm
