PHOENIX, AZ – The Rider University volleyball team closed out its west coast road trip on Saturday, suffering a five-set setback against Western Carolina before falling in three sets to Grand Canyon.
In the opening match against Western Carolina, the Broncs look good early, scoring the final three points of the first set to win 25-23. After the Catamounts fought back to win the second by an identical 25-23 score, the Broncs and Catamounts were unable to secure the two-point advantage late in the set until the Broncs finally pulled ahead 29-27 for the third-set win. Western Carolina was dominant in the fourth set, pulling away for a 25-14 victory. In the fifth set, the Broncs were unable to find the winning play. Trailing 14-7, the Broncs held off four match points before the Catamounts found the match-winner.
In the nightcap, Grand Canyon led early in all three sets, falling behind 11-5 in set one, 13-8 in set two, and 15-8 in set three. The Broncs fought back in each set, but were unable to catch the Lopes late in any of the three sets.
QUOTES & NOTES
"We are still searching for ways we can win matches. There are some moments of very good play, but our inconsistency and discipline are hurting us right now."
"Western Carolina was relentless in transition and dominated the match in the middle. Conversely, Grand Canyon just played incredible floor defense which certainly frustrated our offense."
"A huge congrats to
Anilee Sher for being named to the All-Tournament team. She worked tirelessly all weekend and her work ethic and passion are to be admired."
- Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
- Today's matches were the first-ever against both opponents.
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Morgan Romano (Oviedo, FL/Hagerty) had a double-double in both matches, recording 18 kills and 10 digs against Western Carolina and 13 kills with 14 digs against Grand Canyon.
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Anilee Sher (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill) had her second double-double of the year with a season-high 53 assists and 11 digs against Western Carolina.
- With 81 total assists today, Sher has 2,928 career assists. She passed Rider Athletics Hall of Famer Michelle Peel for third in program history.
- Romano,
Tori Schrader (Grantville, PA/Lower Dauphin), and
Jenna Amaro (Davie, FL/Archbishop McCarthy) each had double-digit kills against Western Carolina, the first time three Broncs had ten or more kills in a match this season.
- Amaro set a career high with 10 kills against the Catamounts, also recording her first career double-double.
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Pamela Loh (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) tied a career high with 22 digs against the Catamounts.
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Molly Strah (Akro, OH/Archbishop Hoban) recorded a career-high 15 digs against Grand Canyon.
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs were out-hit by Western Carolina .193 to .116. The Lopes out-hit Rider .197 to .089.
- Western Carolina out-blocked Rider 16-9. Grand Canyon had seven blocks to just one for the Broncs.
UP NEXT
- Rider heads to its final non-conference tournament of the season when the Broncs travel to Rhode Island for the University of Rhode Island Tournament. The team with play the host Rams on Friday at 7 p.m.
