LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Sophomore setter Anilee Sher (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill) recorded her third double-double of the season thanks to a 48-assist, 12-dig performance to lead the Rider University volleyball team past visiting Siena, 3-1, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action inside Alumni Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Broncs (6-9, 3-0 MAAC) defeated the Saints (6-7, 1-2 MAAC) by scores of 22-25, 25-15, 29-27 and 25-18.
 
The turning point in the match came in the third frame as Rider held the Saints despite Siena having set point four times. Trailing 24-22 and later 25-24, the Broncs answered to break a 1-1 tie following a Siena attack error.
 
Freshman Morgan Romano (Oviedo, FL/Hagerty) continued her strong play for the hosts with a match-high 24 kills. Junior Ali Ward (West Chester, PA/West Chester East) contributed 14 kills for the Broncs, while seniors Alexa Shello (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) and Evelyn Shanefield (Drexel Hill, PA/Upper Darby) both chipped in eight kills apiece.
 
On the defensive end, four different Broncs had 10 or more digs led by Rachelle Runyon with a match-high 16. Freshman defensive specialist Pamela Loh (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) registered a career-best 12 digs for the Broncs. 
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"We were really happy with how our team dealt with adversity today, specifically in the third set. It wasn't pretty, but they responded well after our timeout. Our mental toughness is getting better. We made some really good decisions. Through our first three MAAC matches we are doing some really good things. We are continuing to grow and get better every match." – Rider Head Coach Jeff Rotondo.
 
- The win was the fourth straight for Rider against Siena.
- As a team, the Broncs had 58 kills, 10 total blocks, 57 assists and 67 digs.
- Rider has dropped just two sets through its first three conference games.
- The Broncs took advantage of 24 Siena attack errors and 12 Saint service errors.
- On Tuesday, Rachelle Runyon was named the MAAC Libero of the Week and freshman Morgan Romano was honored as both the MAAC Rookie of the Week and the MAAC Player of the Week.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Morgan Romano had 24 kills, eight digs, one service ace and five total blocks. It marked her fourth match this fall with 20 or more kills.
- Runyon continued her steady play on the backline for Rider. She has recorded 12 or more digs in all MAAC matches this year.
- Danielle Blanco added 10 digs for the Broncs.
- It was Ward's third match with 12 or more kills this year.
 
UP NEXT
Rider closes out a weekend of home conference play on Sunday, September 29, with a match against Marist that is slated to begin at 1:00 pm inside Alumni Gym. The game will be steamed live on ESPN3 as the Broncs are looking for their second win a row versus the Red Foxes.