College Volleyball
Niagara University 3, Rider University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Rider University volleyball team hung with first-place Niagara for one set before being swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match Sunday afternoon in Alumni Gym.
The defending MAAC champion Purple Eagles won 26-24, 25-8, 25-15.
The match featured 18 ties and eight lead changes with 12 ties and four lead changes coming in the opening set.
"We came out raring to go," said head coach Emily Ahlquist. "Niagara is a very good team and they do not make many mistakes. They make you play your best to compete with them. We competed with them for a set."
For Rider (1-19, 0-10 MAAC), senior Kristy Love (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland) had seven kills, four digs and three block assists, accounting for 9.5 of the 30 Bronc offensive points. Love hit .333 in the match.
"Kristy had a fantastic weekend, in both matches (Canisius Saturday and Niagara today)," said Ahlquist. "She had a complete weekend and played highly motivated. She will do anything to help this team."
Also for the Broncs, senior Amanda Piccolini (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) had 12 assists and six digs.
Niagara out-hit Rider .245 to .031, including .393 to .000 in the second set.
"The effort was there and the communication was there," Ahlquist said. "I will never question our effort. Niagara is a very good team and to compete with them, we needed to play consistently and at a very high level."
The Purple Eagles, who defeated Rider 3-0 last month at Niagara, have won 14 of 20 matches all-time against the Broncs.
Rider has lost 18 in a row.
The Broncs travel to Loundonville, New York for a MAAC match against Siena October 23.
"It was very nice to be home this past weekend," Ahlquist added. "It was nice to have the parents here for both matches (Saturday and Sunday) and now we head back out on the road again."
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