RIVERDALE, NY– The Rider University volleyball team had a strong performance Sunday, topping Manhattan in four sets, 27-29, 25-16, 25-17, 25-15. The Broncs improve to 2-8, while the Jasper drop to 2-9. Both teams even their MAAC records at 1-1.
 
Down 3-1 early in the opening set, Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) had an ace during a 4-0 run that had Rider up early. In all, the first set featured 18 ties before tied 27-27, the Jaspers found two-straight points to win the set.
 
Leading 8-6 in set two, Jenna Amaro (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Archbishop McCarthy) had back-to-back kills that sparked a 4-0 run for the Broncs. The Jaspers had an immediate response, scoring six unanswered to tie the set 12-12. Leading 15-14, the Broncs again went on a 4-0 run, this time started by a pair of kills from Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)). Leading 20-16, the Broncs closed out the set in style with a 5-0 run capped by three-straight kills from Amaro.
 
Rider opened the third set on a 4-0 run started by back-to-back aces from Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head). Leading 10-9, the Broncs went on a 5-0 run on the serve of Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville). Up 20-16, it was another strong finish for the Broncs with a 5-1 run to close out the set.
 
The fourth set was tight early. Trailing 10-8, Rider went on a 9-0 run, including three kills and a block by Mia Mattingly (Mokena, IL/Lincoln-Way Central). The Broncs would not allow the Jaspers to get back into the set. Leading 19-14, Rider closed out the match on a 6-1 run.

QUOTES & NOTES
"Good bounce today against a tough Manhattan team. Mauro at Manhattan is doing a great job, and they are playing an aggressive style of volleyball. We were a little sloppy in set one, and the end of the set is my responsibility to manage our subs better. We had a lot of people step up after that first set, and our offense was able to hit our stride."
 
"Makenna stepped up and did great today. We had four in double digits in kills, showing the depth of our offense. Blocking is still a concern, and something we have to examine. Rylah, Molly Rohde, and Mia all did well as freshmen. Jenna and Kianny paced the offense with great performances again. We have a tough contest coming up and a quick turn around." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Manhattan still leads the all-time series 30-23, but the Broncs have captured 15 of the last 16 meetings.
- Mason had 33 assists, by far a season-high for the freshman, topping her previous best of 15.
- O'Connor finished with a team-high 11 digs, her sixth match in double figures this season.
- Molly Strah (Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) compiled 10 digs, her first match with double digits this season.
- Santiago had a team-high 13 kills, her fourth match in double figures this year.
- Amaro finished with 11 kills, her second match with double digits this season.
- Rohde and Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) both finished with 10 kills. It is Rohde's second-straight match with 10 kills and a new season high for the freshman, Robinson.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .345 in the match, to Manhattan's .181.
- Rider had 60 kills in the match to just 39 for the Jaspers.
- Rider had a 44-28 advantage in digs.
- The Broncs had a 10-8 edge in aces.
- Rohde also finished with three blocks.

UP NEXT
The Broncs conclude the road trip Wednesday with a trip to Marist for a 7 p.m. match.