BOSTON – After posting the most conference victories since 2005, the Suffolk volleyball team punched its ticket to the 2018 GNAC Tournament as the field's fifth seed the league announced as it unveiled the tournament bracket.
In their first season in the Scott Blanchard era, the Rams put together a 7-5 league ledger including six straight conference triumphs, the longest known win streak against conference counterparts in the program's match-by-match record book, which date through the 2003 season. Overall, Suffolk compiled an 11-16 record.
Suffolk's 13th conference tournament trip sends the Rams to Newton, Massachusetts, Tuesday, Oct. 30 to take on the field's fourth seed Lasell. The Lasers have been on a skid as of late, losing four straight matches to dip to 13-18 on the season. In league play, Lasell finished up the regular season 8-4.
The Tuesday tilt will serve as a rematch of the regular season showdown in which the Lasers swept the Rams Sept. 15.
The Rams will make their second tournament trip as the fifth seed, which marks the highest seed for Suffolk since being fourth in the 2005 field. The blue-and-gold will square off with the Lasers in the conference postseason for the first time. Overall, Suffolk has yet to advance to the semifinals as it looks for its first postseason victory.
First serve on Tuesday night is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Lasers' Athletic Center. The winner of the quarterfinals contest will take on the victor of #1 Johnson & Wales and #8 Saint Joseph's (Maine) Thursday, Nov. 1.
2018 GNAC VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
Tuesday, Oct. 30 – Quarterfinals
Match 1: #8 Saint Joseph's (Maine) at #1 Johnson & Wales – 7:30 PM
Match 2: #5 Suffolk at #4 Lasell – 7:00 PM
Match 3: #6 Simmons at #3 Colby Sawyer – 7:00 PM
Match 4: #7 Emmanuel at #2 Rivier – 7:00 PM
Thursday, Nov. 1 – Semifinals (at Higher Seeds)
Match 5: Winner of Match 2 vs. Winner of Match 1
Match 6: Winner of Match 4 vs. Winner of Match 3
Saturday, Nov. 3- Championship (at Highest Remaining Seed)
Match 7: Winner of Match 6 vs. Winner of Match 5