Raiders Look To Return To Championship Form

After a tough 5 set semi-final loss in the 2009 GNAC playoffs, Rivier will look to make a return to the GNAC Championship match for the 2010 season. The seniors and juniors have at least 1 GNAC Championship on their resumes, so expect the upper class women to shoulder the load for the Raiders. The 3 Raider sophomores will definitely play significant roles for RIV however it's the 8 talented first year players who will be the key for the Raiders to make their 4th NCAA appearance. Once again Rivier faces a tough schedule which should provide invaluable experience come playoff time. This young but talented Raider line-up should be up to the task of competing for the programs 4th GNAC title.

Returning Players

Seniors Nicole Rodriguez (5'8", MH, Newton, MA) and Danielle Jacques (5'9", OPP, Derry, NH) are vying to be the only Raiders in program history to win 3 GNAC Championships. Rodriguez, entering her third season as the Raiders captain, will provide steady leadership on and off the court. N-Rod, a 2009 GNAC 3rd Team Selection, should offer invaluable experience along with great role model qualities for the new players while looking to prove she is one of the best middle hitters in the GNAC. Jacques, hampered by injuries most of her 2009 campaign, will look to regain her 2008 form when she was one of the best right side players in the GNAC and was named to the GNAC All Tournament Team during RIV's 2008 championship season.

The junior trio of Caitlin Callahan (5'6", S, Dedham, MA), Emileigh Cenedella (5'4", L, Townsend, MA), and Lauren Saccoccio (5'5", OH/DS, Warwick, RI) will provide the bulk of the ball control for the Navy and White this year. Callahan will look to take over full control of the offense this year after splitting the duties and running a 6-2 offense with Saccoccio last season. Callahan ended the 2009 season second on the team with 439 assists and 32 ace serves. Cenedella will move full time into the libero position after playing the 2009 season as one of the Raiders outside hitters. Em's determination, enthusiasm, and all out play should provide a great foundation on serve receive and defense while making for some exciting action throughout the season. Saccoccio will move back into her outside hitter and defensive specialist role after spending last year helping the team as a setter and opposite hitter. The Warwick Rhode Island native will have her hand in all aspects of the Raiders' game so you can expect to see her filling up the stat sheet in all categories.

Sophomore Kenna Finlayson (5'9", OH, Derry, NH) will try to build on a record setting first season with RIV. Finlayson, who became the first Raider rookie to be named to the All GNAC 1st Team, was named the GNAC Rookie of the Year as well. She led the Raiders with 367 kills and 64 service aces and will be counted on to do the same once again this year. Classmates Meghan Farrell (5'8", OH, Marlborough, MA) and Christi Pratte (5'6", S, Manchester, NH) will work hard at increasing their roles this season. Farrell will take her shot at the outside hitter position while Pratte will look to step in at the setter spot.

Newcomers

This year's newcomers should help bolster the Raiders net play and should add some needed size, strength, and versatility to the front row. Nicole Peacock (5'7", MH/OH, Warwick, RI) and Nicole Boucher (5'9", MH/OH), Windham, NH) not only share the same first name and birthdates but share the ability to play all three positions in the front row. Expect their versatility, power, and good jumping ability to pay instant dividends for the Raider squad. Meghan Dudek (6'0", MH, Keene, NH) and Morgan Peck (6'0, OPP, Sudbury, MA) will bring to the court some much needed size for instant improvement in the blocking department and additional offense. Dudek was Keene High School's Offensive Player of the Year and a NHIAA All Star while Peck was a stand-out on a strong Lincoln-Sudbury team that went deep into the MIAA playoffs. Jessica Amaral (5'3", DS/L, E. Providence, RI) and Erin Sweeney (5'7", S, Chicopee, MA) should jump right in with the sophomores. Amaral, a Rhode Island All State 1st Team selection, should provide a huge spark with her scrappy defense and serve receive while Sweeney, a Western Massachusetts All State 1st Team selection, will help direct the offense. Elizabeth Hegarty (5'9", OH/MH, Brookline, NH) should display some good athleticism and add more quality power and height at the net while Toni-Rose Bailon (5'0", DS, Manchester, NH) will add more depth in the back row.

"This could be one of the deepest teams to ever play for Rivier. Though we are young we certainly have enough experience, athleticism, and versatility to make a legitimate run this season. It will all depend upon how long it takes us to gel as a unit. My thoughts are that the first month will consist of the team really learning about itself and establishing everybody's role but once we figure that out then we really should start to put things together for the stretch run of the season. I'm excited to see how the women respond to the challenge. If they respond the way we hope then this could be a very rewarding season for all of us".

-Head Coach Craig Kolek