TOWSON, MD – The Rider University volleyball team fell in straight sets to Fairleigh Dickinson University to open competition at the Towson/Morgan State Tournament. The Knights won the match 25-22, 25-22, 25-21. The Broncs fall to 0-3 on the season, while the Knights improve to 1-3.
 
Down 9-5 in the opening set, the Broncs scored four-straight points, including two assists and an ace from Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong) to tie the set. The set remained close until Rider held a 17-16 lead. The Knights countered with a 5-1 run to take the lead and they never trailed again in the set.
 
After falling behind 8-4 early in set two, the Broncs scored five unanswered points to take a 9-8 lead on the serve of Carly Zimmet (Purcellville, VA/Loudoun Valley). With Rider leading 12-11, the Knights went on a 6-0 run and the Broncs would not recover.
 
FDU came out of the gates strong in set three, going up 5-1. Down 18-10, Rider scored four-straight points, including an ace by Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan), but that would be as close as Rider would get.

QUOTES & NOTES
"While there were some good moments from our offense today, we are losing the serve/pass battle too much right now. In addition, block and defense is not operating at an efficient level either. These are two phases that we need to get cleaned up quickly. It ties back into practices and bringing energy and intent every day."

"Some bright spots were Brynn and Molly offensively, and Mia saw some action again in the 3rd set. Ryley worked really hard dealing with some difficult passes. However, all in all a disappointing performance." - Head Coach Jeff Rotondo

- Today's match snaps a five-match winning streak for the Broncs between the programs. The Broncs still lead the all-time series 32-19.
- Frye finished with a career-high 27 assists.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) led the Broncs with 15 digs, her second double-digit dig match of the season.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .196 in the match, to FDU's .286.
- The Knights had 49 kills to 37 for the Broncs.
- FDU had a 5-3 edge in blocks.
- In addition to O'Connor's 15, Molly Strah (Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) had seven digs, and Zimmet added four.
- Jenna Amaro (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Archbishop McCarthy) and Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) each had eight kills to lead Rider. Molly Rhode (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) added seven.

UP NEXT
Rider continues the Towson/Morgan State Tournament with a match at Morgan State against the host Bears Saturday at 6 p.m.