RIVERDALE, NY – The Rider University volleyball team bounced back from its first conference loss Sunday afternoon, topping Manhattan in four sets. The Broncs improve to 4-9 overall and 2-1 in MAAC play, while the Jaspers fall to 1-11 on the season, including a 1-3 mark in conference play.
 
The opening set was tight early. Leading 16-14, Manhattan went on a 5-0 run that appeared to have the Jaspers in control of the set. But the Broncs fought back, responding with a 6-0 run, then later tying the set at 22-22. The Jaspers were able to take the final three points of the set however to take opener.
 
The Broncs came out firing in set two, jumping out to a 10-3 lead. The Broncs were never in danger during the remainder of the set, winning 25-18.
 
It was more of the same for Rider in set three. Tied 1-1, the Broncs scored seven-straight points on the serve of Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford), including three aces. The Broncs led by as many as 13, taking the set 25-14.
 
The momentum carried over to the fourth set, where Rider jumped out to a 13-5 lead. Leading 18-14, Pamela Loh (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) served out the match, including a pair of aces.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"Overall, this weekend really revealed some areas that we need to focus on when we get everyone back. Obviously dealing with a depleted roster due to illness is not something we envisioned this week. We will look to get healthy, and clean up a lot of areas technically, tactically, and with our expectations."
 
"Yesterday, we had opportunities, even with a new lineup and Romano setting to win sets one and two, but couldn't close. Today, after a shaky first set where we were holding back, the team responded well to win the next three. We would have liked to come out 2-0, but dropping two this week was not going to be acceptable."
 
"Morgan did a great job stepping up and running the offense. Carley had a good weekend, as did Morgan Koch. Kianny and Jenna stepped up, and Keegan filled in very well as the libero this weekend too." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Rider continues to cut into Manhattan's lead in the all-time series, now at 30-20. Rider has taken 12 of the last 13 matchups.
- Morgan Romano (Oviedo, FL/Hagerty) set a career-high for the second-straight match with 35 assists as the Broncs played with a mixed-up lineup. She completed the double-double with 12 digs.
- Kianny Santiago (Hoboken, NJ/Hudson Catholic) and Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) each set career-highs with 13 kills. It was Santiago's first and McAleavey's second time in double figures.
- O'Connor had 18 digs to lead the Broncs, her fourth double-digit dig match this season.
- Jenna Amaro (Davie, FL/Archbishop McCarthy) had her third double-digit dig game of the year with a season-high 13.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .273 in the match, to Manhattan's .114.
- Rider had 48 kills to 35 for the Jaspers.
- Rider finished with 18 aces, to just nine for Manhattan.
- Loh, Santiago, and McAleavey each had four aces.

UP NEXT
Rider returns home for a match Saturday against Siena. First serve in Alumni Gym is set for 1 p.m.