College Volleyball
Fairfield University 3, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
FAIRFIELD, Conn.--The Rider University volleyball team gave second place Fairfield all it could handle before losing a close four-set battle Sunday afternoon in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match.
"This was probably the best match we have played to date as a team," said head coach Emily Ahlquist. "Hitting, passing and playing defense, they really played together from point one until the match was over. It was a dog fight for every point."
The Stags defeated Rider (1-21, 0-12 MAAC) 29-27, 28-26, 22-25, 25-23 in a match that featured 50 ties and 23 lead changes.
For the Broncs, senior Kristy Love (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland) continued her strong play with 12 kills, nine digs and four blocks.
"Kristy has stepped up her entire game, both front row and back row," Ahlquist said. "She is hitting from multiple positions and going after the ball. She is being very aggressive."
Also for Rider, sophomore Brittany Gajewski (Whitehouse Station/Hunterdon Central Regional) had 27 digs, senior Elyse Grassmuck (San Antonio, Texas/La Vernia) had 20 digs and senior Amanda Piccolini (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) compiled 38 assists, three digs and three blocks.
"Brittany was able to control the backcourt," Ahlquist said. "She picked up a lot of balls on defense. And Elyse, she did a lot of things in a hitter's role, something she hasn't had to do in a while. Amanda did a good job distributing the ball to keep the defenders on their toes. She was a steady force on the floor."
Graduate student Alex Chapla (Aliquippa, Pa./Center Area) led the Broncs with five blocks.
Fairfield won in Lawrenceville over the Broncs 3-0 on September 19 and the Stags have won 17 of 22 matches all-time against Rider. Last season, the Stags and Broncs split two matches with Rider giving Fairfield one of its two conference losses in 2009.
Rider out-dug Fairfield 74-73 and each team had 65 offensive points and 50 kills. The Broncs out-hit the Stags .148 to .130.
There were 18 ties and 11 lead changes in the opening set, 15 ties in the second set and 11 ties in the fourth set.
The Broncs have lost 20 straight.
Rider travels to Loyola University Maryland for a MAAC match on October 30, the first of two times that the Broncs and 'Hounds will meet this season, even though Rider is 22 matches into the 2010 schedule.
"It is our first time seeing Loyola this season," Ahlquist said about playing the Greyhounds. "It is always a fantastic crowd down at Loyola, we will have to practice this week and simulate people screaming at us so that we are ready for the match. It is a good atmosphere and we are looking forward to it."
Loyola makes the return trip to Rider on November 13 in the next to last match of the 2010 regular season.
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