Box Score NASHUA, N.H. – The New England College women's volleyball team concluded their 2024 season with a loss in the play-in round of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) playoffs with a four-set loss at seventh-seeded Rivier University. The match came just two days after the Pilgrims took the Raiders to five sets during a Saturday tri-match in Henniker.
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 1, Rivier 3 (25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21)
Records: #10 Pilgrims 10-20, 6-9 GNAC | #7 Raiders 16-15, 9-6 GNAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The 'Grims came charging out of the gate in the first set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. But the Raiders quickly took momentum behind the offense of Rivier senior middle blocker Lily Sills (Carlisle, Mass.). Down late in the set, a kill by NEC junior outside hitter Lily-Anne Heywood (Derry, N.H.) helped the Pilgrims pull to within one at 24-23. But Rivier would take the final point to go up 1-0 in the match. Then in the second, the Pilgrims were up 15-13 before another run by the Raiders, who ultimately took the set 25-21.
- In the third, with their season on the line, the 'Grims took a 17-10 behind the serving of NEC senior outside hitter Savannah Pilialoha (Waipahu, Hawaii), then held off another rally by the hosts to take it 25-23. All of a sudden, the Pilgrims were right back in it.
- Down 16-13 in the fourth set, NEC head coach Kirsten Morrison called timeout to rally her players. The 'Grims won three of the next four points including a kill by NEC sophomore outside hitter Samantha Winters (Dover, N.H.). But they were unable to close the gap as the Raiders prevailed down the stretch.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Heywood posted one of her best matches of the season, leading the 'Grims with eleven kills, 16 digs and a service ace.
- Sills dominated at the net with 17 kills, four total blocks and three aces.
- NEC graduate middle-blocker Tatiana Sampson (Kailua, Hawaii) concluded her historic career with the 'Grims with two kills and one total block. Sampson ends her time in Henniker holding virtually every record involving blocks as well as setting the career kills record earlier this season.
- Rivier junior outside hitter Ali Rivera (Lowell, Mass.) posted 18 kills and 18 digs for the Raiders.
- NEC junior defensive specialist Kristina Cardello (Peabody, Mass.) – having already broken the Pilgrims' single season digs record this year – finished with 24 digs on the night to lead a strong defensive effort.
- NEC sophomore setter Alexandra Seijas (Fort Myers, Fla.) filled the stat line with 11 set assists, seven digs and four service aces.
- Rivier senior setter Ryan Hicks (Danbury, Conn.) led all players with 50 set assists with ten digs.
