College Volleyball
Fairfield University 3, Rider University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
LAWRENCEVILLE-The Rider University volleyball team was swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match against Fairfield Sunday afternoon in Alumni Gym.
The Stags won 25-18, 25-19, 25-17.
"After the exciting five-set battle with Manhattan on Saturday, this was a let down," said head coach Emily Ahlquist. "The play was better than the scores indicated but we really didn't keep our energy level high throughout the match and that is a learning process that we are going through."
For Rider (1-10, 0-2 MAAC), sophomore Haley Wilson (Williamsburg, Iowa/Williamsburg) had a team-high 13 digs with senior Amanda Piccolini (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) adding 21 assists.
"Haley played very steady and has been seeing and reacting to the ball very well," Ahlquist said.
Fairfield out-hit the Broncs .315 to .147.
There were 13 ties and six lead changes in the match, including six ties in the final set before Fairfield pulled away.
"We are still learning our way through playing back to back conference matches," Ahlquist said. "Today was one of those lessons."
Rider and Fairfield split two matches with the Broncs giving Fairfield one of its two conference losses last season in Lawrenceville. The teams meet again in Connecticut on October 24.
Fairfield has now won 16 of the 21 matches all-time against the Broncs.
Rider has lost nine straight.
The Broncs travel to Western, New York to face Niagara and Canisius September 25-26.
"We are looking forward to the Buffalo trip," Ahlquist said. "It is a good time to do some bonding and we always like making this trip."
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