College Volleyball
Rider University 3, Fairfield University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
Hill - 1,000th Assist

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—The Rider University volleyball won its fourth match in a row and improved to 6-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 3-1 victory at Fairfield University on Sunday afternoon.

“I thought we won a good match against an excellent program while not playing our best volleyball,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “We weren't flashy, it was a workman like effort where we just played our game.  We overcame some struggles and came out with a great win.”

Rider (11-9, 6-0 MAAC) won 25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 25-16.

For the Broncs, sophomore Jennifer Borio (Ridley Park, Pa./Padua Academy) had 11 kills with junior Kaitlyn Griffin (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) adding nine kills, five service aces and five blocks while attacking .350.

“Kaitlyn got us back on track after losing set two,” Feliciano said.  "She had a serving run of two or three aces in that third set that forced Fairfield out of system while helped us regain the momentum.  Jen is a great player and while she has moments when she struggles, she never gets down on herself and today, she came out with a great approach, studied the film and we are happy that she had a great match.”

The setters were led by senior Brandie Hill (Portland, Ore./Lincoln) who compiled 23 assists and 10 digs with sophomore Veronica Koval (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) adding 13 assists and nine digs.  Hill now has 1,020 assists in her career.

Sophomore Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy) had 15 digs and junior Ryan Ackermann (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) added 10 digs, eight kills and three service aces for the Broncs.

Also drawing praise from coach Feliciano was the steady play of two freshmen; Perry Williams (Portland, Ore./Cleveland) and Kristin Fick (North Aurora, Ill./West Aurora).  Williams attacked .500 and Fick had six kills and three blocks.

“I thought that Perry and Kristin played outstanding,” added Feliciano.  “Perry helped changed the perspective of the match and Kristin played the best match of her collegiate career.”

This is the first time that Rider has opened MAAC play 6-0.  Last season, the Broncs opened conference play with five straight wins before losing at Fairfield.

Fairfield defeated Rider three times last season including a 3-0 win in the opening round of the conference playoffs over the fifth seeded Broncs.

This is only the fourth time in 30 matches that Rider has defeated Fairfield since the series began in 1989 and it is Rider's first win over the Stags since the 2009 season, snapping a 12-match losing streak.  This is the first time that Rider has ever won at Alumni Hall.

“It's outstanding to do things that have never been done but we are really just focused on the next match in front of us,” Feliciano said.  “It's nice.  History changes but again, we are just looking at what is coming next on the schedule and one match at a time.  Our goal and focus is to make the playoffs and the start in conference play is nice to see.”

Rider travels to Manhattan College and Iona College October 10-11 for a pair of MAAC matches.

-RU-