WASHINGTON, DC – The Rider University volleyball team closed out its opening weekend of action on Saturday with a pair of neutral-site matches as part of the Georgetown Invitational. The Broncs fell to Central Connecticut State, 3-0, in the opener before dropping a 3-1 decision against Sacred Heart.
 
In the opener, junior Danielle Blanco (El Paso, TX/Franklin) recorded her third double-double of the year thanks to a 20-assist, 12-dig performance. Rider was never able to take control of the momentum in the match as the NEC-Preseason favorite Blue Devils scored the win.
 
In the nightcap, Anilee Sher (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill) registered her first double-double of the year in her season debut with a 36-dig, 15-assist effort. Offensively against the Pioneers, freshman Morgan Romano (Oviedo, FL/Hagerty) registered a career-best 17 kills.
 
After dropping the first two sets versus SHU, Rider rallied to win the third frame. The Pioneers put the match away with a 25-19 win in the fourth stanza.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"The first match today definitely got away from us in regards to energy and strategy. We were not seeing the game properly and it snowballed into low energy and focus. That being said it was a great lesson in that we cannot approach any match that way again." – Rider Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"Our response to that debacle in the first match was a very spirited second match versus Sacred Heart. They are a veteran and tested team and our team really responded with great effort. We got a chance to see the lineup with Anilee Sher and see how the team is going to gel moving forward." – Rotondo
 
"Overall we were extremely pleased with our ability to fight in that match and see the progress of some of our four freshman, who are all contributing greatly." – Rotondo  
 
- In the opener, Rider had 23 kills and 48 digs.
- The Broncs committed 29 attack errors against CCSU.
- In the finale, the team recorded 44 kills, 67 digs and a season-high 12 blocks.
- Rider had 20 attack errors and 10 service errors versus Sacred Heart.
- Rachelle Runyon and Morgan Romano were named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Rachelle Runyon had 17 digs in the opener and 14 in the nightcap. Through the first four matches this season she has 64 digs is averaging 4.27 digs per set.
- Morgan Romano had 28 kills on the day. She has recorded 11 or more kills in all four of her appearances this season. She leads the team with 56 kills and is averaging 3.73 kills per set.
- Blanco has a team-high three doubles this year. A Bronc has recorded a double-double in all four of the team's games this year.
- Sher picked up where she left off last season. She became the third different Rider player to record a double-double this year along with Blanco and Romano.
 
UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Friday, September 6, with a pair of matches as part of the 2019 Radford Tournament in Virginia.