College Volleyball
Saint Peter's College 3, Rider University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
JERSEY CITY?Despite a ?double-double' from freshman Katelyn Thompson, the Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match at Saint Peter's Saturday afternoon. “If we would have won the first game, it would have been a completely different match,” said head coach Emily Ahlquist.
The Peahens defeated Rider (2-23, 0-15 MAAC) 31-29, 30-20, 30-27.
For the Broncs Thompson (Tucson, Ariz./Catalina Foothills) compiled 12 kills and 11 digs.
“I thought we played ok overall,” Ahlquist added. “We had some problems with the fans and I thought the players did a great job blocking them out. This is a very tough place to play.”
In the opening game, Rider jumped out to a 15-6 lead before Saint Peter's (13-19, 6-9 MAAC) rallied with a 14-5 run to tie the game at 20. The Broncs countered with a 5-1 run led by a key block from freshman Kristy Love (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland). Love had three blocks in the match. Down 25-21, the Peahens tied the match three times, the last of six ties at 29 all before winning the final two points and the game.
“We didn't pass well enough to keep our middle hitters involved,” said Ahlquist. “And Saint Peter's hit some shots that we just couldn't get to and a couple hit the lines and we just couldn't catch any type of break and in a close match like today's you need a break or two to fall your way.” The match saw 28 ties and 13 lead changes.
Freshman Amanda Piccolini (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) led the Broncs with 32 assists and also added 12 digs with sophomore Amy Jeary (Depew, N.Y./St. Mary's) leading the Broncs with 21 digs, her fifth 20 plus dig effort of the season.
“Amy reads the ball very well and played a good match,” Ahlquist said. “We also got a strong effort from junior Lindsay Brant (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach) off the bench. She gave us a spark when we needed it and kept us in the match.” Brant finished with a .467 attack percentage including eight kills and a block.
Tied at 15 in game two, Saint Peter's went on a 15-5 run to close out the game led by three service aces. The Peahens had 12 service aces in the match including five in the second game that saw 10 ties and seven lead changes.
Game three saw another close battle featuring 12 ties and five lead changes with the Peahens winning by three. Rider led 23-19 before a 6-1 Peahen rally gave Saint Peter's a 25-24 lead. Tied at 26, a late 4-1 effort finished off the match.
Rider hosts Iona in a MAAC match at 1:00pm on Sunday in Alumni Gym. “I am looking forward to finishing strong at home,” Ahlquist added. “We've had a tough road schedule this season and the last three matches will give our fans a chance to come out and see the team a few more times and will also give our lone senior Katrina Stehle (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) a chance to finish her career in front of a home crowd.” Stehle will be honored prior to the November 10 match against Loyola as part of senior day festivities.
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