College Volleyball
Iona College 3, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.—The Rider University volleyball team lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match at Iona College on Saturday afternoon.
The Gaels won in four sets, 25-15, 25-16, 23-25, 25-23.
“We've got to come out competing from the beginning of the match,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano, who saw his team trail two sets to none for the second time in three matches. “We need to show dedication and commitment to our system and the things that we do well.”
For Rider (10-8, 2-6 MAAC), freshman Kaitlyn Griffin (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) hit .524 and led the Broncs with 13 kills.
“Our middles finally did a good job getting Kaitlyn the ball,” Feliciano said. “She hit multiple angles around the block and we look for her to continue to improve. She is going to be a great player for us.”
Also for the Broncs, junior Ashlee Amatulli (Menifee, Calif./Temecula Valley) had 26 assists and 11 digs with sophomore Brandie Hill (Portland, Ore./Lincoln) adding 18 assists and 11 digs.
Freshman Ryan Ackermann (Leesburg, Va./Stone Bridge) had 12 kills and freshman Alaina Piszczek (Sinking Spring, Pa./Berks Catholic) had 17 digs.
The match featured 19 ties, seven in the final set.
Rider and Iona split two matches in 2012 with the Broncs winning 3-2 in Lawrenceville and the Gaels sweeping Rider 3-0 in New Rochelle. Rider and Iona also split two matches in 2011.
Rider and Iona meet again on October 30 in Lawrenceville.
The Broncs have lost five straight.
“We need to make the decision to compete when it is 0-0 and not wait until we are down 2-0,” Feliciano added. “You aren't going to win many matches that way. We didn't compete in sets one and two today. It's that simple.”
Rider faces Manhattan College on Sunday in Riverdale, New York. The Jaspers defeated Saint Peter's University 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
“I just want us to compete from the beginning of the match,” Feliciano said about what he wants to see on Sunday. “If we do that, any team in our conference is beatable.”
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