RAIDERS RAISE THE BAR

The 2011 Women's Team and the 2012 Men's Team combined for a history making year for Rivier College.  Both teams won the GNAC Championship and went on to represent RIV Nation in the NCAA tournament.  The RIV women defeated a senior laden Emerson College team in a gritty 5 set victory to win the programs 4th GNAC Championship while the RIV men swept Emmanuel College 3-0 for their 5th straight GNAC Championship. 
Both teams open the eyes of the nation with outstanding NCAA performances.  The RIV women battled to a 5 set loss against Skidmore College at the NCAA Regional Tournament at Clarkson University in New York while the RIV Men earned a spot into the Elite 8 in the Inaugural NCAA D 3 National Tournament but came up just short in reaching the National Final 4 with a 5 set loss to UC Santa Cruz. 

Both teams enjoyed great success and with that success came much individual recognition as well.  Here are the combined individual accomplishments for both teams:

GNAC 1st Team
Chris Convertito, L, Sr, Trumbull CT
Steve Visentin, Setter, Jr, Cheshire CT
Aaron Almario, MH, So, Alhambra CA
Chris Markuson, OH, Fr, Cupertino CA
Kenna Finlayson, OH, Jr, Derry NH

GNAC 2nd Team
Nicole Peacock, MH, So, Warwick RI

GNAC 3rd Team
Drew Corwin, OH, Sr, Framingham MA
Alex Xenidis, MH, Sr, Shelton CT
Emiliegh Cenedella, OH/L, Sr, Townsend MA

GNAC Player of the Year
Chris Markuson, OH, Fr, Cupertino CA
Kenna Finlayson, OH, Jr, Derry NH

GNAC Rookie of the Year
Chris Markuson, OH, Fr, Cupertino CA

GNAC Defensive Player of the Year
Chris Convertito, L, Sr, Trumbull, CT

Player of Week (national or regional, not GNAC POW)
Kenna Finlayson - ECAC Player of the Week

GNAC All Tournament Team
Chris Convertito, L, Sr, Trumbull CT
Drew Corwin, OH, Sr, Framingham MA
Nicole Peacock, MH, So, Warwick RI
Nicole Boucher, MH, So, Windham NH

GNAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Steve Visentin, Setter, Jr, Cheshire CT
Kenna Finlayson, OH, Jr, Derry NH

All-America
Men – Aaron Almario, MH, So, Alhambra CA (2nd Team)

All-New England
Women – Kenna Finlayson, OH, Jr, Derry NH (2nd Team)


Phenominal year for all involved with Rivier volleyball!!!