College Volleyball
Niagara University 3, Rider University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Rider University volleyball team lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match to defending conference champion Niagara University Saturday afternoon in Alumni Gymnasium.
Niagara (22-8, 16-1 MAAC) won in straight sets 25-19, 25-17, 25-20.
"What you saw today was a championship caliber team that knows how to win," said head coach Christopher Feliciano. "They've played together for four-years and know where each other will be on the floor at all times. We are getting to that level but you saw why Niagara continues to win. I'm proud of our effort against a really, really good team. We played one heck of a match."
For Rider (5-24, 3-14 MAAC), sophomore Meghan Bartsch (Cranford) had 14 digs and 12 assists.
"Meghan, I'm very proud of," Feliciano said. "She came into the season lower on the depth chart and has fought and clawed for the playing time that she has received. She has without exception grown a lot not only as a setter but overall as a volleyball player. Offensively, she has come a very long way."
Junior Brittany Gajewski (Whitehouse Station/Hunterdon) had 17 digs, with freshman Kayla Wong (Tustin, Calif./Arnold O. Beckman) adding 10 digs.
Niagara defeated Rider in Western New York on October 16 and swept the season series.
Niagara has won 16 of 22 matches all-time against the Broncs. Last season, the Purple Eagles won 3-0 at Niagara and 3-0 in Lawrenceville.
"We gave the effort today," Feliciano said. "Niagara was just better than we were."
Rider hosts MAAC-rival Canisius on Sunday at noon in the final match of the 2011 season. Prior to the match, the Broncs will honor senior Camellia Kuban (Swedesboro/Gloucester Catholic).
"We want to send Cam out the right way," said Feliciano. "She has been a four-year player and exceptional student and we want to show her how much we appreciate her efforts."
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