College Volleyball
Niagara University 3, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y.--The Rider University volleyball team took a set off the three-time defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions before falling at Niagara University 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
The Purple Eagles won the MAAC match 25-20, 25-20, 20-25, 25-18.
"Certain players stuck to the game plan and competed hard," said head coach Christopher Feliciano. "The issue is that we have to have ALL of the players playing as a team and not just going out and hitting the ball. We had too many mental breakdowns and lapses at crucial times."
For Rider (6-5, 0-2 MAAC), sophomore Jaclyn Webber (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) had 15 kills and nine digs with senior Brittany Gajewski (Whitehouse Station/Hunterdon Central Regional) adding 26 digs. Gajewski now has 936 digs in her Bronc career.
Sophomore Ashlee Amatulli (Menifee, Calif./Temecula Valley) had 16 assists and nine digs with junior Megan Bartsch (Cranford) compiling 16 assists and three digs.
"I thought Ashlee did a great job for what she had to work with," Feliciano added.
Senior Stephanie Nagy (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) had 11 kills and a block for the Broncs while hitting .261.
Niagara out-hit Rider .211 to .111.
Niagara defeated Rider in Western New York on October 16 last season and swept the season series with a November 12 win in Alumni Gymnasium.
Niagara has won 17 of 23 matches all-time against the Broncs. In 2010, the Purple Eagles won 3-0 at Niagara and 3-0 in Lawrenceville. Rider's last win over Niagara was during the 2008 season.
Rider stays in Western New York to face Canisius in a MAAC match on Sunday at 2pm.
"If we don't play consistently, Sunday is going to be a long day," said Feliciano.
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