PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sophomore and reigning Conference of New England (CNE) Rookie of the Year
Vivi Mansfield threw down 16 kills to help the JWU (Providence) women's volleyball team to a 3-2 win over Rivier University Tuesday night in non-conference action at the Wildcat Center.
The Norwalk, Connecticut native added 11 digs and finished the night with a .452 hitting pct. as the Wildcats won 25-20, 25-13, 23-25, 19-25, 16-14. Junior and 2024 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Rookie of the Year
Nevaeh Arnold notched 11 kills and four blocks while senior
Emerson Lane tallied a career-high eight kills and first-year
Emma Rivera Fernandez recorded 35 digs in her collegiate debut.
Sophomore
Sophia Santacroce handed out 22 of JWU's 49 assists to go with 12 digs, and also posted a team-high six service aces. Rivera Fernandez handed out nine assists of her own while Lane finished with five blocks (two solo) and first-year
Jordan Brinkley went for seven kills and seven digs.
The Wildcats took control early, winning the first two sets to build a 2-0 lead. Rivier responded in the third, overcoming a late deficit to win 25-23 and extend the match. The Raiders carried that momentum into the fourth set, building an early advantage and forcing a fifth with a 25-19 victory.
The deciding set was tight from the start. Rivier used a Lily Seibel service ace to take a 14-13 lead, putting the Raiders one point from victory. JWU answered to tie the set at 14 before back-to-back kills from Arnold sealed the win for the home team.
JWU – which closed the night with a .232 hitting pct. – hosts in-state rival Salve Regina Friday at 5 p.m.
