College Volleyball – Day Two
Rider University 3, Massachusetts Lowell 1
Maryland Eastern Shore 3, Rider University 1
The Courtyard by Marriott Maroon and Gray Invite

Harding and Riede All-Tournament Honors

PRINCESS ANNE, Md.—The Rider University volleyball team split the final two matches on Saturday, at The Courtyard by Marriott Maroon and Gray Invite, going 2-2 in the tournament to place runner-up with freshmen Catie Harding and Hailey Riede earning all-tournament honors.

Riede played all 17 sets and averaged 2.18 kills per set (37 total) while compiling an attack percentage of .367.  Harding had 59 kills for the weekend (3.47 kills per set) and added 31 digs in 17 sets while compiling eight blocks and five service aces. 

“All individual awards in this sport are team awards,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “With that said, you can't deny their performances this weekend.  They were great and should give them confidence as the season goes on.”

The host Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore went 4-0 to win the title.

In the opener, Rider defeated the River Hawks of UMass. Lowell 3-1 for the second day in a row, recording a 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 25-16 victory.

“I thought we controlled the pace of play well,” said Feliciano after the opener.  “In set two, we got into a little bit of a serve-receive rut and we fought back to close the gap.  While we didn't cap off the comeback, it is nice to know we can overcome big deficits.”

Against the River Hawks, Harding, from Kirkwood, Missouri (Kirkwood) continued her strong play with 17 kills and 11 digs and junior Ryan Ackermann (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) attacked .524 with 12 kills.

Senior Brandie Hill (Portland, Ore./Lincoln) had 26 assists, 13 digs and four service aces in the opener.

In the nightcap, Rider (2-2) won the opener against UMES 26-24 before falling 25-21, 25-19, 25-19.

“We played well in the opening set and used what we were given,” Feliciano said.  “We are exactly what I thought we would be after the opening weekend, very talented but we need to gain experience in some critical areas.  There will be moments of brilliance and also moments of frustration.”

Riede, from Haworth, New Jersey (Northern Valley-Demarest) had 10 kills and four blocks with Harding adding 14 kills and two service aces against the Hawks.

Hill compiled 22 assists and sophomore Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy) led Rider with 23 digs after compiling 16 digs in the opener.

Rider is 2-0 all-time against UMass. Lowell and the Broncs and UMES have split 10 matches all-time.

The Broncs travel to Brooklyn, New York to participate in the Terrier Invitational September 4-5 against St. Francis Brooklyn, Valparaiso and NJIT.

Rider's home opener is on September 9 at 7pm in Alumni Gymnasium when the Broncs face Iona College in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match.

-RU-