LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ– The Rider University volleyball team lost the first two sets Saturday afternoon, before fighting back to win its fourth-straight match, 20-25, 12-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-6, over Quinnipiac. The Broncs improve to 11-15 on the year, and 10-7 in MAAC matches. The Bobcats fall to 17-9 overall and 13-4 in league play.
The Broncs fell behind early in set one, trailing 7-2. Leading 15-9, the Bobcats scored three-straight points to extend the lead, winning the set without any stress.
After Rider went up 2-1 in set two, the Bobcats scored six-straight points to go ahead 7-2. Later, leading 9-5, Quinnipiac scored another five consecutive points and did not look back, taking the set.
The third set was close early on. Trailing 9-8, Rider finally found some footing, scoring five-straight points including back-to-back-to-back kills by
Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)). After Quinnipiac came back to close to within 18-17,
Molly Strah (Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) served four-straight points to provide the Broncs with some breathing room as the Broncs took the set.
The Broncs took the lead early in set four and maintained a small lead for a majority of the set. Leading 16-11, the Broncs pulled away with four-straight points on the serve of
Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford), pulling away to force the fifth set.
Tied 1-1 in the fifth, the Broncs took control of the match. Rider scored seven-straight points, including three kills and a block by Santiago. Up 9-4, Strah served for four points, including a back-row kill as the Broncs came back to complete the sweep.
QUOTES & NOTES
"We know Quinnipiac is not an easy team to play. They have hitters that can put it in different locations and they can swing from anywhere. We obviously didn't get the start we wanted, but for them to have the grit to come back shows what we're capable of."
"We didn't go in to the locker room and blow it up. We just talked about our belief. We made the switch with Gabby and Tori, just a gut feeling. I'm not taking too much credit for it. They had to go out and do it, and they did."
– Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
"Coming off the bench and having fresh legs and a new face always helps in a way. I always try to contribute in any way possible. I visualize me playing in the middle while I'm off so I'm still engaged in the game."
"We had a rocky start, but we're really working as a team now and everything is clicking. We're on the rise and peaking at a good time."
– Graduate Middle Hitter Gabby Polynice
- The Broncs earn a season split and tie the all-time series at 14-14.
- With the win, the Broncs secure a spot in the MAAC Tournament and will be seeded between three and six in the six team field based on results of tomorrow's matches.
- For the 14th time this season,
Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong[UTEP]) and
Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) reached double digit assists in the same match with 31 and 20 respectively.
- Frye completed her eighth double-double of the season with 11 digs.
- Santiago recorded her first career double-double with career-highs in both kills (19) and digs (15)
- O'Connor had a match-high 17 digs, her 17
th match with double-digit digs this season.
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Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) added 12 kills, her 11
th match in double figures this season.
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Gabby Polynice (Manhattan Beach, CA/Grant[Delaware State]) had 10 kills with no errors, hitting .625 and reaching double digits in kills for the second time as a Bronc.
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .213 in the match, while the Bobcats hit .157.
- Rider had 56 kills in the match to 49 for Quinnipiac.
- Rider had a 67-64 edge in digs.
- Rider had an 8-5 advantage in blocks.
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Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) had eight blocks.
UP NEXT
The Broncs close out the regular season Sunday against Fairfield at 12 p.m.
