College Volleyball - Temple Invitational
University of Akron 3, Rider University 0
Temple University 3, Rider University 0
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.?The Broncs opened the 2007 season dropping two matches at the Temple Invitational Friday. “We played better in the afternoon match,” said head coach Emily Ahlquist. “In the opener it was the first time since practice began that all six starters were on the floor at the same time due to injuries so we were working out some timing issues. We lost both but it was a good day and we showed some encouraging signs.”
In the opener, Rider (0-2) fell to Akron (1-0) 30-26, 30-25, 30-24 with the host Temple Owls (1-0) defeating the Broncs 30-15, 30-21, 30-26.
In the opener against the Zips, junior Lacey Johnson (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) had 12 digs and seven kills with sophomore Amy Jeary (Depew, N.Y./St. Mary's) adding 15 digs.
Making their collegiate debuts, freshman Amanda Piccolini (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) had 15 assists with fellow rookie Elyse Grassmuck (Seguin, Texas/La Vernia) adding nine assists, six digs and five kills and three block assists.
“I think the matches went pretty well,” said Piccolini who is majoring in Advertising at Rider. “We are really young and we are still getting used to playing together. We made some good steps today.”
“Amanda and Elyse really took over the floor in whatever role we threw them into and for first year players to be able to do that is a good sign,” Ahlquist said. “It was also good for us as a team to finally see some different faces on the other side of the court and not beat each other up in practice. You can't simulate the faster pace of an actual match so the more we play, the stronger we will get.”
“Overall it was eye opening, Piccolini added. “We adjusted pretty well to the speed of the match but it definitely was an experience going through my first collegiate matches.”
In the second match against the Owls, Johnson had 10 digs with Piccolini adding 22 assists.
“We led the final game late against a good Temple squad so that was encouraging,” Ahlquist added. “We are further ahead in our training and preparation than we were at the start of last season.”
The Broncs face Youngstown State and La Salle on Saturday morning on the final day of the tournament.
“A positive of being banged up is that some of the players have had to move into other positions and that experience is going to add more depth for the team as we go into the season,” Ahlquist added. “You don't want to have injuries but we are making the most of the versatility that we have on the roster.”
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