College Volleyball
Rider University 3, Canisius College 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
Aldaya 1,000 Career Digs

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University volleyball team remained undefeated at home with a 3-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win over Canisius College on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.

Rider won the match 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 27-25.

“The ending was a little bit more exciting than we wanted,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “But that's our team, we bend but don't break.  We persevered and got the job done.  The parity is very close in the league and each set comes down to one or two errors.”

For Rider (14-10, 9-1 MAAC), sophomore Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy) had 34 digs, including career dig 1,000.

“It's exciting to have Emma get 1,000 digs this early in her career,” said Feliciano.  “She still has more than 10 matches to go this season and has already reached the milestone.  I am looking for her to continue working hard and she could be the all-time leader in digs if she keeps at it, stays committed and remains focused.”

“The key to our play today was our communication,” Aldaya said.  “We play really well when we talk and help each other out.”

Sophomore Jennifer Borio (Ridley Park, Pa./Padua Academy) added 16 kills and four digs.

“Jen's biggest dig was the last one,” Feliciano said about the ending to the fourth set.  “She was outstanding.  She has gotten better and better as the season has progressed.”

“Today's match was a team effort,” Borio said.

Junior Kaitlyn Griffin (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory), had 15 kills, seven blocks and five digs with junior Ryan Ackermann (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) compiling 18 digs, 12 kills and four blocks.

Freshman Hailey Riede (Haworth/Northern Valley-Demarest) had another strong match with 15 kills while attacking .343.

The setters were led by sophomore Veronica Koval (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) who had 36 assists and eight digs.

Senior Brandie Hill (Portland, Ore./Lincoln) had a 'double-double' with 22 assists and 11 digs.

Rider swept the season series from Canisius during the 2014 regular season before the Golden Griffs knocked the Broncs out of the conference playoffs.  This is only the sixth time in 30 matches that the Broncs have defeated Canisius. 

“Canisius is a good team with a great coach and we just made a couple less errors today than they (Canisius) did,” Feliciano added.

The teams meet again in Buffalo, New York on November 14.

Rider improved to 5-0 in Alumni Gym this season and has won 14 of its last 17 matches in the Broncs' Zoo.

“When you look up and your families are cheering you on, that helps,” Feliciano said.  “The other athletic teams pushing our young ladies to succeed, that gives us an upper hand.  We are just pleased to put a product out there where people want to come see us play and support the program.”

Rider travels to Siena October 24 for a 1pm MAAC match.

-RU-