College Volleyball
Loyola University Maryland 3, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Rider University volleyball team lost a four-set match to Loyola in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon.
The 'Hounds defeated the Broncs 25-21, 25-15, 22-25, 25-20.
"I thought we did a good job coming out of the break and changing the look," said head coach Emily Ahlquist. "Overall, we need to play a little smarter and make quicker decisions. Loyola is a very athletic team and they reacted well to the plays we were making."
For Rider (3-24, 2-15 MAAC), senior Amanda Piccolini (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) had a 'double-double' with 29 assists and 13 digs while hitting .312 in the match.
"Amanda played smart, dumping the ball off and distributing the ball," Ahlquist said. "She made some good decisions."
Also for the Broncs, sophomore Brittany Gajewski (Whitehouse Station/Hunterdon Central Regional) had 25 digs and five assists with senior Katelyn Thompson (Tucson, Ariz./Catalina Foothills) adding 10 kills.
"Brittany has worked extremely hard the entire season," Ahlquist said. "Now it is paying off for her. She is reading defenders and is really taking over the back court."
Senior Elyse Grassmuck (San Antonio, Texas/La Vernia) added 12 digs for Rider.
The match featured nine ties and five lead changes including six ties in the third set.
Loyola defeated rider on October 30 by a 3-0 score in Baltimore and the 'Hounds lead the all-time series 24-7 with the last Rider win during the 2001 season.
Rider hosts Iona in the final home match of the 2010 season on Sunday at noon. The Broncs will honor their four graduating seniors prior to the match.
"Sunday will be emotional for the seniors playing in Alumni Gym for the last time," Ahlquist added. "The good thing is that we still have the championships down in Florida to look forward to but it will be an emotional day for the whole team."
Rider competes at Disney's Wide World of Sports in the 10-team, double elimination MAAC championship tournament November 18-20.
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