FAIRFIELD, Conn.?Despite 26 assists from sophomore setter Elyse Grassmuck (San Antonio, Texas/La Vernia), the Rider University volleyball team lost to Fairfield (3-9, 1-0 MAAC) in the 2008 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener for both squads. “The positive is that we took a set off one of the better teams in the conference,” said head coach Emily Ahlquist. “Overall we just have to come out ready to play and we didn't do that tonight.”
The Stags defeated Rider (7-4, 0-1 MAAC) in four sets 25-15, 23-25, 25-11, 25-11.
“Set two, we came out really fast,” Ahlquist added. “But overall, we didn't come out with any energy or enthusiasm. We just did not play well.”
Also for the Broncs, junior defensive specialist Amy Jeary (Depew, N.Y./St. Mary's) 17 digs with sophomore outside hitter Katelyn Thompson (Tucson, Ariz./Catalina Foothills) adding 11 kills.
The Broncs, off to their best start since 2003, had won five of six entering the match.
“We had no ball control,” Ahlquist said. “Both outside hitters hit really low or negative percentages and you can't do that, especially in a conference match.”
Sophomore Kristy Love (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland) has four blocks for Rider.
The first set saw Fairfield jump out 4-0 and a 12-6 Stag run gave Fairfield a 10-point lead in the first set win.
Tied at two in the second set, an 8-4 Bronc run gave Rider a 10-6 lead. After the Stags battled back to take a 17-16 lead, a 5-0 Rider run gave the Broncs a four point margin. Fairfield cut the lead to one on two separate occasions but could get no closer. Rider has won eight of the nine sets this season that were decided by two points.
The overall match saw nine ties and five lead changes with four ties and three lead changes coming in the second set.
A 9-2 run in the third set broke a 1-1 tie and led the Stags to a 14-point win.
Rider led 5-3 in the fourth set before Fairfield went on a 7-0 run enroute to another 14-point win to clinch the match.
Fairfield swept Rider twice last season and own a 13-4 series lead. The Broncs last defeated the Stags during the 2004 season.
“If we play a little better, we are right there,” Ahlquist said. “It was a good match between the two teams.”
Rider travels to Jersey City to face Saint Peter's on Saturday at 2:00pm in a MAAC match.
“It will be good for us to get right back on the court on Saturday,” Ahlquist said. “After tonight, getting back on the court right away and competing will help us get some confidence back.”
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