College Volleyball
Manhattan College 3, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Rider University volleyball team lost in four sets to Manhattan in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match on Wednesday evening at Alumni Gymnasium on the Lawrenceville campus.
The Jaspers won 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22 in a match that featured 15 ties and eight lead changes.
"We have more talent than we showed tonight," said head coach Christopher Feliciano. "Take nothing away from Manhattan but we made some crucial errors at inopportune times. The scores were close and we were RIGHT there."
For Rider (5-22, 3-12 MAAC), freshman Jaclyn Webber (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) hit .319 with 17 kills and 15 digs, compiling 19 of Rider's 65 points.
"We rely on Jaclyn to get at least 15 points a match," Feliciano said. "Tonight, her serve was a little inconsistent but she found ways to make up for that. We need our players to be versatile and she does that."
Also for the Broncs, junior Brittany Gajewski (Whitehouse Station/Hunterdon) had 22 digs with freshman Kayla Wong (Tustin, Calif./Arnold O. Beckman) adding 11 kills.
Freshman Ashlee Amatulli (Menifee, Calif./Temecula Valley) had 25 assists and 11 digs for Rider with sophomore Bridget Sheerin (Oak Lawn, Ill./Marist) adding 10 assists.
"Ashlee did a great job spreading the ball around and finding mismatches," Feliciano said. "She is our quarterback, a true leader on the floor. It is nice to know that we are solid in our setter position for the next three seasons."
Freshman Rachel Jensen (Buena Park, Calif./Troy) also drew praise tonight, compiling nine kills while making only one attack error in 16 chances while hitting .500 to go along with three blocks.
"Rachel had the best match of her collegiate career tonight," said Feliciano. "She has been battling some injuries and has overcome a lot. She should be proud of her effort and look to build on it."
Manhattan had an 88-70 dig advantage and out-hit the Broncs .264 to .224.
The Jaspers defeated Rider 3-1 in Riverdale, New York on September 25 to sweep the season series.
Manhattan leads the all-time series 23-4 and the Broncs haven't defeated the Jaspers since the 2004 season. Manhattan defeated the Broncs three times last season including twice by 3-2 scores
"Unforced errors got us again," said Feliciano. "There is parity in the conference and we just can't expect to beat the upper echelon teams in the MAAC, making unforced errors. We are better than we showed."
Rider travels to Loyola Maryland on Saturday for a MAAC match at 6pm.
"We want to end the season on a strong note," Feliciano said about the final three matches of the season. "Our objective is to build momentum for the spring season and also avenge the loss that they (Loyola) gave us (3-0, October 8). These last three matches are important."
-RU-
