NEW ROCHELLE, NY– The Rider University volleyball team played four tight sets, falling 25-18, 25-27, 25-23, 28-26 at Iona Saturday. The Broncs fall to 1-8 on the year, and the Gaels improve to 5-7 in the MAAC opener for both teams.
 
The Gaels started hot, jumping out to a 7-2 lead, and later extending the advantage to 11-5. At that point, Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) and Jenna Amaro (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Archbishop McCarthy) each had a pair of kills during a 4-1 run that trimmed the lead to three. Leading 16-12, Iona scored four-straight points to take control of the set.
 
After four-straight aces by the Gaels to open set two, the Broncs remained within striking distance. Down 22-19, Rider went on a 5-1 run, including a pair of kills by Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) before going on to win the set 27-25.
 
The Third set featured nine ties as both sides fought for control. With Rider leading 22-19, Iona scored five-straight points including the final lead change of the set to take the two sets to one lead.
 
Tied 18-18 in the fourth, the Broncs appeared to take control of the set with a 5-1 run. The Gaels responded, fighting off several set points during a 6-0 run to take a 25-24 lead. Rider got another set point, taking a 26-25 lead, but the Gaels responded with a 3-0 run to win the match.

QUOTES & NOTES
"The good news is our offense finally woke up and we were producing a lot of offense. Unfortunately our serve/pass game really let us down today. Sets three and four we had leads late, and in set four we held a 24-19 advantage. No excuse for not winning that set and getting it to a fifth. In that moment, we need people who want the ball served to them, and who demand the ball be set to them. We had opportunities and played it safe and it cost us the match. At some point we will play a complete match, but we are going to need to learn how to close sets, and figure that out quickly."

"Individually, Kianny and Jenna played well at the pins and Molly Rohde did well offensively. Ryley Frye worked really hard today with the offense and dealing with some poor passing. Defensively, we need to step up and make plays, as I see the other side of the net making great second and third efforts and sometimes we don't make the first effort. As a coach, I need to find the right ingredients, and most of this is on me to get corrected. It falls on me that we are not executing and competing through the entire set. I need to be better." - Head Coach Jeff Rotondo

- Iona now leads the all-time series 30-18.
- Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong) finished with her second-straight double-double, totaling 46 assists and 14 digs.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) finished with a career-high 20 digs, her fifth match in double figures this season.
- Carly Zimmet (Purcellville, VA/Loudon Valley) had 11 digs, her first career match in double figures.
- Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) finished with 10 digs, her first career match with double digits.
- Santiago had a season-high 16 kills, her third match in double figures this year.
- Amaro had a career-high 15 kills in her first match with double digit kills this season.
- Rohde had 10 kills for her first match in double figures.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .242 in the match, to Iona's .234.
- Rider had 63 kills in the match to 56 for the Gaels.
- Rider had an 85-78 advantage in digs.
- The Gaels had an 11-4 advantage in aces.
- Santiago and Gabby Polynice each had three blocks.

UP NEXT
The Broncs continue conference play Sunday with a trip to Manhattan for a 3 p.m. match.