LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – The Rider University Volleyball Team needed just three sets to take down second-seeded Marist in the quarterfinals of the MAAC Tournament Thursday evening. The Broncs move to 11-19 on the season, while the Red Foxes end the year at 18-11.
 
Rider started strong jumping out to an 11-5 lead in the first that forced an early Marist timeout. Out of the break, Rider added on three additional points capped by back-to-back kills from Morgan Koch (Bloomington, IL/Central Catholic). In all, the Broncs had 17 kills and no errors in the opening set, winning 25-15.
 
Rider built a 5-1 lead to open the second, again forcing an early Marist timeout. Tied 6-6, Rider went on a 5-0 run on the serve of Pamela Loh (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson). Leading 13-10, the Broncs went on a 6-0 run, including three kills and a block from Tori Schrader (Grantville, PA/Lower Dauphin). Rider went on to take the set 25-19.
 
The Broncs jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third started by three-straight aces from Julia Slivka (Adamstown, MD/Tuscarora). The Broncs slowly extended the lead to 12-4. Down 15-6, Marist closed the gap with a 6-0 run. Leading 17-14, Rider closed out the match on an 8-1 run, with two kills each by Morgan Romano (Oviedo, FL/Hagerty) and Jenna Amaro (Davie, FL/Archbishop McCarthy).
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"We need to have 25 on the scoreboard and three in the set column. We don't stop until we win, we keep the foot down on the gas and make sure we aren't backing off of swings."
 
"Our setters did a really good job at distribution today, making sure our middles got involved, our pins got involved, and they really kept Marist off balance. Our hitters were really dialed in today which was great to see." – Head coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"I struggled a little bit yesterday, but I just came in with a different mind set. We came out with grit, with energy, and we just really wanted it. It translated onto the court because we were able to execute really well."
 
"I'm comfortable because I know 90% of the time they're gonna get the ball up, and I'm gonna get set. We have confidence to go for it, because you know someone else can cover for you." – Junior Outside Hitter Jenna Amaro
 
- After Marist earned the regular season sweep, Rider's win in the MAAC Tournament cuts the Red Foxes' lead in the all-time series to 32-22.
- Amaro led the Broncs with 13 kills, her eighth match in double figures this year.
- led the Broncs with 16 kills, her eighth match in double figures this season.
- Romano, Schrader, and Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) each added 10 kills, their 18^th, ninth, and sixth match in double figures this season, respectively.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) led the Broncs for the second-straight match with 12 digs, her ninth match in double figures.
- Alicia Iafrate (Closter, NJ/Demarest) finished with 10 digs, the 11^th time the senior has reached double figures this season.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Rider hit .450 in the match, to just .158 for the Red Foxes.
- Rider had 52 kills in the match, to just 32 for Marist.
- Rider had eight blocks to just one for Marist.
- McAleavey added five blocks in the match.
- Slivka had 22 assists to lead the Broncs.

UP NEXT
Rider continues its quest for the MAAC Championship against either Iona or Quinnipiac on Friday at 2 p.m.