WASHINGTON, DC – The Rider University volleyball team opened the 2019 season with a pair of matches as part of the Georgetown Invitational on Friday. The Broncs fell to Central Arkansas, 3-2, before dropping a 3-0 decision to the host Hoyas.
 
In the opening match, the Broncs jumped out to an early, 2-1, advantage through three sets before Central Arkansas rallied to take the final two frames and earn the win. In the setback, junior Danielle Blanco (El Paso, TX/Franklin) recorded her first career double-double thanks to a 37-assist, 11-dig performance.
 
On the offensive end against the Sugar Bears it was three-headed attack for Rider. Senior Alexa Shello (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) and freshman Morgan Romano (Oviedo, FL/Hagerty) paced the Bronc attack with 13 kills apiece, while senior Evelyn Shanefield (Drexel Hill, PA/Upper Darby) chipped in 10 kills.
 
In the finale, Blanco recorded another double-double and Romano had a career-best 15 kills, but it was not enough as the Broncs lost to Georgetown in three sets.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"The team came out and played well against a very athletic Central Arkansas team. Offensively, we made a lot of progress with Alexa Shello playing very well and a lot of contributions from our younger players. We fought well in five sets and will learn how to win those matches in the future." – Rider Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"In the second game, Georgetown definitely took us out of our blocking and defensive rhythm in the first two sets, but we responded very well in set three and had a solid chance to extend it to a fourth set. We just couldn't finish at the end." – Rotondo
 
"Rachelle Runyon played incredible all day as well as Danielle Blanco running the offense. In addition, Morgan Romano showed her ability to score in her first college action. Overall, we are proud of our ability to compete, but we know there is still a lot of room for improvement as well." – Rotondo
 
- The opening match of the season marked the first-ever meeting between the Broncs and the Sugar Bears.
- The match between Rider and the host Hoyas was also the first-ever between the two teams.
- In the opening match, the Broncs had seven blocks to go along with 45 kills, six aces and 51 digs.
- In the second match of the day, Rider had 29 kills and 52 digs.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Blanco's 37 assists in the opener were a new career-high.
- Defensively, Rachelle Runyon had 20 digs in the opening match against Central Arkansas.
- Morgan Romano, Alicia Iafrate, Morgan Koch and Pamela Loh all made their collegiate debuts for the Broncs in the opener.
- Morgan Romano had 15 kills in the finale against Georgetown. She also added 12 digs for her first career double-double.
- Runyon had 13 digs in the second match of the day. She is averaging over four digs per set this season.
- Danielle Blanco had 21 assists and 12 digs versus the Hoyas.
 
UP NEXT
Rider closes out the 2019 Georgetown classic with a pair of games on Saturday. The Broncs will take on Central Connecticut State at 11:00 am before battling Sacred Heart at 5:00 pm.