College Volleyball
Rider University 3, Marist College 2
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
LAWRENCVEVILLE--Led by 13 kills, 10 digs and four block assists by senior Kristy Love (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland), the Rider University volleyball team defeated Marist College in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match Sunday afternoon.
The Broncs rallied from two sets down to win 23-25, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18, 15-10.
"We kept our composure during some tough plays," said head coach Emily Ahlquist. "We had a few calls not go our way at the end of the second set and lost by two. We re-focused during the intermission on not having a call upset us and we played better in the final three sets."
"Their pace was a lot different," Love said about Marist. "After the second set, we made the adjustment to play our faster pace instead of adjusting to their style of play."
"All of the seniors, including Kristy stepped up today," Ahlquist said. "Elyse (Grassmuck) also did an amazing job. It was a collective effort from everyone on the floor."
For Rider (2-22, 1-13 MAAC), senior Elyse Grassmuck had 27 digs with sophomore Haley Wilson (Williamsburg, Iowa/Williamsburg) adding 14 digs.
Freshman Megan Knott (West Caldwell/James Caldwell) led the offense with 14 kills with graduate student Alex Chapla (Aliquippa, Pa./Center Area) compiling 11 kills. Chapla hit .357 and added four block assists in the match.
Senior Amanda Piccolini (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) had a match-high 48 assists for Rider.
"I'm not successful without the passing and setting," said Love. "Without my teammates, I would be facing a triple blocker. It first starts with a good pass, then the set and I've just been in position to finish the plays. They do the leg work for me."
The match featured 29 ties and 15 lead changes.
"We wanted to build a lead and not have a play here or there determine the out come of the match," Ahlquist added. "Our perseverance has been a growing point for the squad as a whole."
Rider out-hit Marist .168 to .123 and held a 55-51 kill and 82-80 dig advantage. The Broncs had 10 service aces, led by six from Grassmuck with each team making 16 service errors.
The Red Foxes had defeated the Broncs 3-2 in Poughkeepsie, New York on October 9.
"We know we can play point for point with any team in the conference," Love added. "Things are starting to finally come along."
Rider has won 12 of the 27 matches all-time against Marist. Former Northeast Conference rivals, Rider had last defeated Marist during the 2005 season before today's match.
The win broke a 21 match losing streak for the Broncs. "Overcoming the 'hump' and getting that first conference win has been part of the process," Ahlquist added. "Getting that first one, now you are saying, ok, we can do this. It is a fine line playing not to lose and playing to win. You can let up; you have to continue to be aggressive and go after the ball and have the confidence to do that."
Rider hosts Saint Peter's on November 6 at noon in Alumni Gym on the Lawrenceville campus.
"We are excited to play Saint Peter's again," Love said. "They play a style similar to Marist and we are going to capitalize this week on the things we did well today to get us ready for Saturday."
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