FAIRFIELD, CT– The fifth-seeded Rider University volleyball team advanced to the semifinals of the MAAC Tournament, defeating fourth-seeded Niagara, 25-23, 25-12, 25-16. The Broncs improve to 12-16 on the season, while the Purple Eagles close out the season at 13-14.
 
Niagara started strong to begin the match, building a lead as large as 19-13 in the opening set. At that point, Rider went on an 8-2 run, including five kills by Jenna Amaro (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Archbishop McCarthy) to even the match at 21-21. Down 23-22, Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) and Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) recorded kills to take a 24-23 lead. The next point saw the Niagara attack go long, but a touch was called. Head Coach Jeff Rotondo made the challenge and the point was overturned to give Rider the opening set.
 
The Broncs took an early 6-1 lead in set two behind a pair of service aces by Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford). Leading 14-11, Rider scored 10-straight points on O'Connor's serve cruising to the set win.
 
Down 3-2 in set three, O'Connor stepped back to the service line and served four-straight points, including an ace to go up 6-3. Later in the set, Niagara went on an 8-2 run to go ahead 12-9. Rider had the response again with a 9-2 run, including aces by Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong[UTEP]) and O'Connor. Leading 19-16, Amaro had three kills during a 6-0 run that closed out the match.

QUOTES & NOTES
"Crazy match tonight that started out a little sketchy. We were able to overcome a slow start and find a rhythm. Niagara is a gritty team that plays really good block and defense. They made us earn a lot of our points tonight, thankfully our hitters were up to the task."
 
"Riley and Makenna did a great job spreading out the offense. Our pins (Jenna, Paige, and Kianny) did great. They had some open space to hit into as Niagara had to respect Gabby and Carley in the middle. Defensively, Keegan and Molly shined again, with Simone making some clutch plays too." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Rider wins its third match of the season over Niagara, taking all three matches in straight sets. The Broncs trim Niagara's lead in the all-time series to just 25-20.
- Rider advances to the MAAC semifinals for the fourth-straight season, advancing to the MAAC Championship match in 2020-21 and 2021.
- Santiago led the Broncs with 12 kills, her 13^th match in double figures this season.
- Amaro finished with 11 kills, reaching double figures for the sixth time this year.
- Giehtbrock added 10 kills, her 12^th match in double-digits this season.
- O'Connor had a team-high 12 digs, her 19^th match with double-digit digs this season.
- Strah finished with 11 digs, her 10^th match in double figures this season.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .297 in the match, while the Purple Eagles hit .162.
- Rider had just 46 kills in the match to 34 for Niagara.
- The Broncs had a 51-38 edge in digs.
- Rider had a 7-3 advantage in blocks.
- In addition to O'Connor and Strah, Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) finished with nine digs.
- Gabby Polynice (Manhattan Beach, CA/Grant[Delaware State]) finished with eight kills on .727 hitting.
- Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) finished with five blocks.

UP NEXT
The Broncs face top-seeded Fairfield Saturday at 3 p.m.