College Volleyball
Manhattan College 3, Rider University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
Piccolini 1,000th Assist
RIVERDALE, N.Y.?The Rider University volleyball lost its fifth match in a row, falling in straight sets at Manhattan College in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match Sunday afternoon. “We played great yesterday and came out flat today,” said head coach Emily Ahlquist. “We got out hustled and did not come out ready to play.”
The Jaspers defeated the Broncs 25-23, 25-22, 25-21.
For Rider (9-15, 2-12 MAAC), sophomore Amanda Piccolini (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) had 13 assists including career assist number 1,000. Piccolini also had eight digs. “That was the positive note of the day, Amanda getting her 1000th assist,” Ahlquist said.
“We knew what we needed to do physically but mentally we weren't prepared.”
Also for the Broncs, senior Lacey Johnson (Centennial, Colo./Grandview) had 18 kills and eight digs. “Lacey played a smart match,” said Ahlquist. “She is coming off her injury and isn't quite 100 percent but she found holes in Manhattan's defense and hit them. We needed everyone to put out the effort that Lacey did.”
Junior Amy Jeary (Depew, N.Y./St. Mary's) added 14 digs for Rider.
The Jaspers, who defeated Rider 3-0 on October 25, have defeated the Broncs in 16 of the 20 matches all-time and Rider has not won against Manhattan since the 2004 season.
In the first set, Manhattan battled back from a 15-12 deficit, opening up a 22-19 lead off a 10-4 run. The Broncs got to within one at 24-23 but a Jasper kill ended the set.
Rider held a 13-10 lead in the second set before the Jaspers responded with a 10-3 run to lead 20-16. The Broncs tied the set at 22 before a 3-0 run gave Manhattan a two set lead in the match.
The third set was another back and forth battle with Manhattan clinching the match with a late 3-0 run, winning the third set by four.
Rider travels to Baltimore on Saturday for its first MAAC match of the season against Loyola. “We always have great matches against Loyola so I'm excited to finally be playing them,” Ahlquist added. “I'm looking forward to the match.”
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