College Volleyball
Rider University 3, Saint Peter's University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
Webber 1,000 career points

LAWRENCEVILLE—Senior Jaclyn Webber (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) had 10 kills and seven digs and scored career point 1,000 as the Rider University volleyball team opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a 3-0 win on Wednesday evening in Alumni Gymnasium.

“We had moments that we played extremely well and some moments we let off the gas a little bit,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “We are still finding our way and our identity but with scores of '16 and 16' in the second and third sets, I'm certainly pleased with the effort.”

The Broncs won 25-20, 25-16, 25-16.

“I can sum up Jaclyn's career in two words, blue collar” Feliciano said.  “She is always working hard and just wants to be a great player.  It's been a pleasure coaching her for four seasons.”

“We were all a little nervous at the beginning,” said Webber who is nearing 900 career kills and digs.  “We came together and stuck together.”

Also for Rider (4-5, 1-0 MAAC), sophomore Ryan Ackermann (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) had 12 kills, four blocks and three service aces and hit .375 for the match.

“Ryan played well but more importantly, helped shut down Lauren Behrens, the reigning conference player of the week,” Feliciano said.  “Both Jaclyn and Ryan played a role in that.  As far as Ryan's offensive effort, she is becoming a more developed hitter instead of just swing, swing, swing.  She moves the ball around and that will increase her hitting percentage.”

“We started rough but overall, I think we played well,” Ackermann said.  “We came out strong and wanted to win.  As far as the milestone goes, Jaclyn has been a mentor to me so it's inspiring to see her reach these goals.  It's something I can live up to and I hope to do as well as she has done.”

As a team, Rider out-hit the Peacocks .308 to .150.

Senior Ashlee Amatulli (Menifee, Calif./Arnold O. Beckman) had 19 assists and junior Brandie Hill (Portland, Ore./Lincoln) compiled 15 assists to pace the setters.

Freshman Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy) continued her strong play with 12 digs and two assists.

Rider has won two straight and four of its last five matches and the Broncs are undefeated at home this season.

Rider and Saint Peter's met twice last season, both 3-1 Bronc wins.  Rider leads the all-time series 22-20 and the Broncs have won nine matches in a row over the Peacocks.

Rider travels to Maryland Eastern Shore this weekend for the Best Western Wild Weekend Invitational, facing UMES, Campbell, Binghamton and Bethune-Cookman.

“This is one of the toughest parts of our schedule,” Feliciano said.  “With four matches in five days, we are going to really see who we are as a team.”

-RU-