College Volleyball
Fairfield University 3, Rider University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University volleyball team had its seven match winning streak snapped and suffered its first conference loss of the season, falling to Fairfield University 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in Alumni Gymnasium.

The Stags won 25-16, 28-26, 25-22.

“I thought that Fairfield was a lot more disciplined than we were,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano who saw his Broncs lose for the first time at home this season.  “We were playing the two-time defending conference champions and if we want to be where they are, we have to play with more discipline.”

For Rider (11-8, 5-1 MAAC), sophomore Kaitlyn Griffin (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) had 10 kills, five digs and four blocks with an attack percentage of .346 and senior Jaclyn Webber (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) added 14 digs and 10 kills.

Fairfield out-hit Rider .232 to .136 and the Stags won for the 24th time in 27 matches against the Broncs.

“We put ourselves in some unfavorable situations and we approached the match tentative instead of as the aggressor,” Feliciano added.  “Fairfield played with a ton of heart and they played with discipline and the end result was we lost in three.”

Also for the Broncs, senior Ashlee Amatulli (Menifee, Calif./Temecula Valley) had 21 assists and 13 digs with freshman Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy) adding 18 digs.

“I'm happy that we were more competitive and showed fight in the second and third sets,” Feliciano added.  “But it is disheartening when we don't play up to the level of the talent that we know we have.  We were complacent and passive.  We need more of a team effort and we need to be more engaged.”

Rider completes a five-match home stand with a MAAC match against Quinnipiac University on Sunday at 1pm.

-RU-