College Volleyball
Fairfield University 3, Rider University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
FAIRFIELD, Conn.--The Rider University volleyball team lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match to Fairfield University on Saturday afternoon in Connecticut.
Sophomore Jaclyn Webber (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) had 12 kills and senior Stephanie Nagy (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) added eight in the loss.
"It was a close match and frustrating outcome," said head coach Christopher Feliciano. "We played very well but I'm tired of being close. We want to win now. Getting close is a good problem to have but the team is hungry to win."
Fairfield (17-8, 12-3 MAAC) won 25-20, 25-22 and 26-24 in a match that featured 22 ties and 10 lead changes. The Broncs (11-14, 4-11 MAAC) were led offensively by Webber who accounted for 13 points (out of 66).
Nagy hit .350 in the match and senior Brittany Gajewski (Whitehouse Station/Hunterdon Central) compiled 27 digs for Rider. Gajewski is third on the MAAC leader board and 15th nationally in digs, with an average of 5.47 per match prior to Saturday.
"We are keeping things in perspective," said Feliciano. "Always wanting to win will never change or go away. We've been competitive with every top team and we are tired of being close. The effort has been great and we are seeing tangible improvement. It is frustrating to keep catching the glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel."
Also for Rider, sophomore Ashlee Amatulli (Menifee, Calif./Temecula Valley) had 19 assists on offense and eight service digs on defense. Freshman Nicole Moorman (Moon Township, Pa/Moon Area HS) (2), Nagy (2) and Webber (1) combined for five team blocks.
Fairfield out-hit Rider .136 to .096.
The Stags also defeated Rider 3-0 on September 29 in Alumni Gym to sweep the season series and Fairfield currently holds the top spot in the MAAC.
The Broncs travel to New Rochelle N.Y. on Monday for their second meeting with Iona College. Rider defeated the Gaels 3-2 on September 30.
"When we play Iona, it is always a tough match," Feliciano added. "We match up well with them and I expect another competitive match."
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