College Volleyball
Rider University 3, Saint Peter's University 0
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University volleyball team snapped a three-match losing streak with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win over Saint Peter's University on Saturday afternoon.

Rider (15-13, 10-4 MAAC) won 42-40, 25-18, 25-18.

“We put ourselves in a hole and figured out 10 ways to get out of it and kept forcing side-outs,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “Both teams were relentless.  We found a way to win an important set which gave us momentum the rest of the match.  After a three-match losing streak, getting win number 10 and matching last season's conference win total is important.”

For the Broncs, junior Ryan Ackermann (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) had 17 digs and 11 kills, freshman Perry Williams (Portland, Ore./Cleveland) attacked .417 with five kills and sophomore Jennifer Borio (Ridley Park, Pa./Padua Academy) had nine kills and no errors while attacking .333.

“Winning the opening set helped set the tone for the match,” said Williams.  “When we start strong, we continue to play well the rest of the match.”

“We had to challenge ourselves to win the set,” said Borio.  “Communication was the key.”

“Jen is a dynamic player,” Feliciano added.  “She has a high ceiling and we are seeing that in her development.”

Sophomore Veronica Koval (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) led the setters with 28 assists and eight digs.

Sophomore Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy) had 26 digs and senior Brandie Hill (Portland, Ore./Lincoln) added 14 assists and 11 digs for the Broncs.

“There was a lot of good volleyball that we haven't seen in the last three matches,” Feliciano said.  “That effort will mean something down the road.  Our growth starts with our senior leadership.  The great thing about the team is that it can be different people in different matches stepping up.  We are still growing and learning how to be one of the top teams in the conference.  I'm proud of how we bounced back when things got tough.”

The opening set took 42 minutes and had 34 ties and 19 lead changes.  It was the most points by Rider and an opponent in one set since October 23, 2009 when Manhattan defeated Rider 45-43.

Rider improves to 6-1 in Alumni Gym this season and the Broncs have won 15 of their last 19 matches in the Broncs' Zoo.

Rider swept the Peacocks for the fifth season in a row after winning in Jersey City earlier this season.  Rider swept the season series from Saint Peter's last season, winning 3-0 in Lawrenceville and 3-2 in Jersey City.  In 2013, the Broncs won twice, both by 3-1 scores.  Rider leads the all-time series 25-20 and the Broncs have won 12 matches in a row over the Peacocks.

Rider hosts Quinnipiac University November 7 at noon in a MAAC match.

-RU-