NASHUA, N.H. – The New England College Women's Volleyball team lost in a five-set match by state opponent Rivier University on Saturday.  

The first set of the game started with a 4-1 lead against the Raiders, led by two kills from junior Tyra Kelly (Fresno, Calif.). The set was close for the entirety with multiple leads by both teams. NEC went 5-0 to take the lead at 13-12 and then again 17-14. Rivier came back to tie the first at 23, but two kills by senior Jamie Hansen (New Underwood, S.D.) gave the 'Grims the first of the game.  

NEC started with a 2-0 lead in the second with a service ace by Hansen, leading 7-4 Rivier came back and took another lead 10-7. After that it was neck and neck. The 'Grims started to pull away with a kill by sophomore LisaRaye Placencio (Maricopa, Ariz.) and another by senior Lily-Anne Heywood (Derry, N.H.) making the lead 17-13. The Raiders went on a late 4-0 run which brought them within striking distance of the score at 23-22 then tied the set at 24. With a kill by Kelly, the team took the lead and an attack error by the Raiders sealed the game for the team at 26-24. Going up two to zero.  

The third set began with a 4-2 lead, which was quickly taken over by the Raiders who went on a 9-0 run and made the score 7-15, the team answered with kills by junior Samantha Winters (Dover, N.H.), Placenio, and junior Maeve Amarosa (Madbury, N.H.) however it was not enough and the Raiders finished the set on a 7-0 run making the final 25-12.  

As the ball went back and forth in the fourth set, so did the score. The Raiders did jump out and make their lead 12-9 which was stopped by another kill from Hansen. Then advanced their lead again to 16-10. NEC answered three points after three attack errors by the Raiders. They got close to tying but were unable to capitalize off a Winters kill. Rivier went on to win the match 20-25 which tied the game two apiece.  

The 'Grims would go on to lose the fifth set at 15-5.  

Volleyball is back in action on Wednesday as they travel down to Weston, Mass. To face Regis College in their last midweek game of the regular season at 7:00 PM.  

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.