College Volleyball
Rider University 3, Quinnipiac University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
Griffin 1,000th career point

HAMDEN, Conn.—The Rider University volleyball team improved to 5-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 3-0 win at Quinnipiac University on Saturday afternoon.

“We were patient and we focused this week on continuing the process of winning on the road and the approach to the match,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “We did a great job with that today and followed the game plan.”

The Broncs prevailed over Quinnipiac (1-14, 0-4 MAAC) 25-21, 25-10, 25-13.

For Rider (10-9, 5-0 MAAC), junior Kaitlyn Griffin (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) had 11 kills and attacked .714 and added three service aces and two blocks with freshman Hailey Riede (Haworth/Northern Valley-Demarest) adding 12 kills, one block and a .458 attack percentage.

Griffin accounted for 15.5 points and now has 1,005 in her Rider career.

“Kaitlyn found a lot of one on one situations and played very strong,” Feliciano said.  “Hailey did well and made some adjustments when she had to.  Both of them have a very high volleyball I.Q.  When you have attack percentages like they did, you have a really good chance of winning.”

Also for the Broncs, sophomore Veronica Koval (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) had 26 assists with freshman McKenna Smith (Brandon, Fla./Newsome) adding a team-high 11 digs.

“Our serve receive was nice today and our setters made some really nice decisions,” said Feliciano.

This is Rider's fifth win in 10 matches against the Bobcats including a sweep last season.  The teams split two matches in 2013, with each team winning on their home court.

This is the second season in a row that the Broncs have opened conference play 5-0.

“We have a mindset of one day at a time and one match at a time,” Feliciano added.  “That's who we are.  When you don't get ahead of yourself, a lot of positive things can happen.”

Winners of three matches in a row, Rider travels to Fairfield University for a MAAC match on Sunday.  The Stags swept Saint Peter's 3-0 on Saturday.

“We are just going to play volleyball,” Feliciano said.  “We aren't adding any extra pressure.  Tomorrow is just another volleyball match and while a win is another step, we won't be awarded the conference title tomorrow if we defeat Fairfield (6-7, 2-2 MAAC) in their gym.  We are in a good place with a lot of positive energy and we are working hard to keep that going with no distractions.”

-RU-