PROVO, UT – The Rider University volleyball team knew that beginning of the schedule would be a test, and both BYU and Washington State proved why they are some of the best teams in the nation Friday, each topping the Broncs in three sets on the first day of the dōTERRA Classic. The match against 10^th-ranked BYU was the first of the season for both teams. The match against Washington State, who was receiving votes in the preseason coaches poll, improved Washington State to 2-0.
 
Against BYU, Rider fell behind in the first set due to six BYU aces. BYU's serve receive was exceptional, taking the first set without allowing a single point during a Bronc serve. Rider fought back in the second and hung around for a majority of the set. Down 12-8, Rider scored three-straight points on a kill by Jenna Amaro (Davie, FL / Archbishop McCarthy) followed by strong play during her serve. BYU immediately responded with a 5-1 run and held on for a 25-17 win. Rider got its first set lead of the match in set three, going up 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 while the sides swapped points early. But leading 5-4, BYU scored six-straight points to pull away and take the deciding set.
 
The Broncs struggles with serve receive continued in the day's second match with Washington State recording five aces in the first set to take a 25-11 win. In the second, Washington State held the Broncs to just -.160 hitting in a 25-9 set. Washington State carried the momentum into the third, jumping out to a 12-3 lead on their way to a 25-9 win.

QUOTES & NOTES
"After some first-set nerves against BYU, we settled in and competed well. The next two sets we saw a lot of good play and better decisions, which led to more competitive play."

"Washington State rolled us pretty good. If we are going to have a chance at our goals, we are going to need to be a lot tougher mentally and train and prepare with more purpose and discipline."

"On a positive note, I thought Tori and Carley played very well, and we had a chance to get some of our other freshmen exposed to some high level play. Lots of work to do though" - Head Coach Jeff Rotondo

- Today's matches were the first ever between both programs for both of Rider's opponents.
- The match against BYU was the first regular-season match against a ranked opponent for the Broncs since the 2014 season opener against USC.
- Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) was in the starting lineup for both matches in her Bronc debut.
- Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls) and Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) both made their collegiate debuts against BYU.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .120 in the match against BYU, trailing BYU's .405.
- Against Washington State, The Broncs were out-hit .581 to -.061.
- Against BYU, Sydney Bond (Homestead, FL/Westminster Christian) narrowly missed a double-double with 10 assists to go along with a career-high nine digs.
- Julia Slivka (Adamstown, MD/Tuscarora) added six assists in the opening match.
- Pamela Loh (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) added six digs against BYU.
- Morgan Romano (Oviedo, FL/Hagerty) led the offense against BYU with six kills. Amaro added five kills on .333 hitting and McAleavey had five kills on .308 hitting.
- Bond led Rider with 12 assists against Washington State with Slivka chipping in six.
- Loh and Molly Strah (Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) each had three digs against Washington State to lead Rider.
- Romano and McAleavey each had five kills against Washington State, with McAleavey hitting .300 in that match.

UP NEXT
Rider remains in Provo to close out the dōTERRA Classic against Duke on Saturday. First serve is set for 6 p.m.