College Volleyball
Terrier Invitational
Rider University 3, St. Francis Brooklyn College 1
Valparaiso University 3, Rider University 1

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y.—The Rider University volleyball team split two matches on the opening day of the St. Francis Brooklyn Terrier Invitational on Friday afternoon, defeating the host Terriers 3-1 before losing to Valparaiso University 3-1.

Rider (3-3) won the opener 25-20, 20-25, 25-18, 25-21 over St. Francis Brooklyn (0-5) and lost to Crusaders (4-0) 27-25, 25-14, 20-25, 25-16.

“We had a really nice day of volleyball for Rider,” said fifth year head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “Even though we didn't play our best in the opening two sets against St. Francis, we squeaked out a win on pure resiliency.  It was a nice win, especially on the road.  The team is learning how to get up in the morning, travel and then go get a 'W' and that's a good thing.”

For the Broncs in the opening match against St. Francis, freshman Catie Harding (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood) continued her stellar play, compiling 14 digs and 11 kills as the reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week compiled 11 of Rider's 66 points in the opener.

“We were down 4-0 and 7-2 in the opening set and pulled it together,” Feliciano said.  “We had leadership from both the upperclassmen and the freshmen as well.  The challenge is learning how to play the game with each other and the attitude has been phenomenal and the work ethic has been great.  We are progressing well.”

Also for Rider against the Terriers, juniors Kaitlyn Griffin (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) and Ryan Ackermann (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) each had 13 digs with sophomore Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy) adding 23 digs.

Senior setter Brandie Hill (Portland, Ore./Lincoln) chipped in with 26 assists and eight digs and fellow setter, sophomore Veronica Koval (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) had 20 assists and seven digs.

Rider attacked .448 in the opening set and held a .253 to .200 attack advantage for the match which featured 23 ties and 12 lead changes.

Rider has won 22 of 23 matches all-time against St. Francis Brooklyn.  The teams last met in 2013, when Rider went 3-0 and won the Terrier Invitational.

Against Valparaiso, Harding had a team-high 24 digs and added 10 kills with Aldaya compiling 21 digs for the Broncs.

“Harding and Aldaya were exceptional against Valparaiso,” Feliciano said.

Hill (19 assists, 11 digs) and Koval (15 assists, 13 digs) continued to lead the setters with Griffin 12 kills (.286 attack percentage) rounding out the offense.  Hill averaged 5.62 assists per set on Friday.

Freshman Hailey Riede (Haworth/Northern Valley-Demarest) added 11 kills for Rider, catching the attention of Feliciano after attacking .500 and compiling nine kills in the opener and she hit .415 for the day.

“Riede did well in both matches,” Feliciano added.  “Especially against St. Francis, with her hitting and her shot selection.  

The match against the top 100 RPI Crusaders had 24 ties and 14 lead changes and this was the first meeting between Rider and Valparaiso.

“If we win that opening set (27-25 loss), you just don't know,” Feliciano said.  “We battled back after they took it to us in set two and won by five in the third set.  We worked hard and never quit and there were many positives from that match.  The team showed some maturity and there is a positive mind set.  We still have another level that we can get to as we get comfortable in the system and playing with each other.”

Rider faces the New Jersey Institute of Technology at 4pm on Saturday on the final day of the tournament.

-RU-