LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University volleyball team lead two sets to one Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell in five sets to Siena. The Broncs fall to 4-10 on the season, and 2-2 in league play. The Saints improve to 4-11 overall, and 2-3 in the MAAC.
 
The first set featured 17 ties and 11 lead changes. Down 21-20, Siena scored three-straight points for the set's final lead change. The Saints would go on to take the set 25-23.
 
The Broncs stayed in in control during the second set, racking up 15 kills in the set, including nine by Morgan Romano (Oviedo, FL/Hagerty). Leading 21-20, the Broncs got a pair of kills by Romano as part of a 3-0 run as Rider went on to take the set 25-22.
 
The third set was all Rider. The Broncs jumped out to an early 6-2 lead. Then leading 14-10, Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) served five-straight points to extend the lead to nine and the Broncs went on to win 25-16.
 
Siena opened the fourth set on a 3-0 run, and never trailed during the set. Down 20-14, Rider scored four-straight points, including a kill and a block by Christina Blount (Liberty Township, OH/Lakota East) got the Broncs back within two, but the Broncs were unable to completely close the gap, falling 25-22.
 
The fifth set played out just like the fourth, as the Saints opened up a 3-0 lead and never trailed, taking the deciding set 15-10.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"There were obviously time we looked good, like in sets two and three. We didn't adjust well in set one to a different offense than we scouted. Then in set five, we allowed them to win with only three kills. You're not going to win a lot of matches that way."
 
"I want to take a look and see what we were doing under pressure. When the scoreboard is in your favor, it's easy to have good energy and go out and get the ball. In the fifth set, when you need the big swing, we didn't get it."
 
"Mo obviously had another great match. We need to do a better job at playing at that same high level around her." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"We were really scrappy today, and I thought the offense was really aggressive. I have a lot of faith in my hitters that they are going to get the job done."
 
"We've been focusing in practice of having the mentality that nothing touches the ground. Some things just didn't go our way today." – Sophomore Setter Julia Slivka
 
- Siena extends its lead in the all-time series to 29-15. The Saints snapped a six-match Rider winning streak in the series.
- Julia Slivka (Adamstown, MD/Tuscarora) had her fourth double-double of the season with 23 assists and 10 digs.
- Romano led the Broncs and tied a season-high with 23 kills. It was her eighth double-digit kill match of the season.
- Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) had 12 kills, her third time in double figures this season.
- O'Connor had 18 digs to lead the Broncs, her fifth double-digit dig match this season.
- Jenna Amaro (Davie, FL/Archbishop McCarthy) had her second double-double double of the year with 11 kills and 13 digs, which tied her season high.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .216 in the match, to Siena's .213.
- Rider had 61 kills to 56 for the Saints.
- Rider finished with six aces, to just three for Siena.
- Sydney Bond (Homestead, FL/Westminster Christian) led the Broncs with 32 assists in the match.
- McAleavey had four blocks in the match.

UP NEXT
Rider has a quick turn around with a home match Sunday against Marist. First serve in Alumni Gym is set for 1 p.m.