College Volleyball
Fairfield University 3, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University volleyball team took one set off the defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Fairfield Stags before losing 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in Alumni Gymnasium.

Fairfield (9-5, 2-0 MAAC) won 25-15, 23-25, 25-20, 25-11.

“We have the ability and talent to perform at a much higher level,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “We need to regroup.  We played the name and aura that their school represents in volleyball.  Fairfield is disciplined and strong but not to the point of only scoring 11 points in a set.”

For Rider (5-8, 0-2 MAAC), junior Veronica Koval (Allentown, PA/Parkland) had 40 assists and 16 digs with graduate student Briana Guzman (North Bergen/Science Park) adding 11 kills while attacking .400.

Junior Emma Aldaya (Prospect Park, PA/Merion Mercy Academy) had 23 digs and sophomore Hailey Riede (Haworth/Northern Valley-Demarest) had 11 kills for the Broncs.

The Stags held a 58-44 kill advantage and made only 15 errors in 154 attacks compared to 26 errors in 153 attacks for the Broncs.

“We aren't engaged in the match 100 percent of the time and that's the disheartening part,” Feliciano added.  “If you lose a match, it can be fine and understandable, as long as you are engaged.  We usually play very well at home and in the gym today, there was just a subdued atmosphere from the team.  We had a chance to make a statement against one of the top teams and today was really just disappointing.”

Fairfield is 28-4 all-time against Rider.  The teams split two matches last season with each squad winning on the road.

The Broncs have lost two straight matches.

Rider hosts Fairleigh Dickinson University on Wednesday at 7pm.

-RU-