TOWSON, MD – The Rider University volleyball team could not defeat reigning sweet 16 team Towson, falling in straight sets, 25-21, 25-14, 25-19. The Broncs fall to 1-4 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 6-1.
 
The Broncs jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the opening set, thanks to four aces by Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong). The Tigers fought back with an 8-0 run of their own, taking the lead back before a single Bronc serve. Down 12-11, the Tigers would score four-straight points and never trail again in the set.
 
In set two, the Tigers led 9-7 and went on a 9-2 run to go up 18-9 and would cruise to the second-set victory.
 
The Tigers held a lead early in the third, but the Broncs remained in striking distance. Down 21-15, Frye had another ace as part of a 4-0 run, but the Broncs would get no closer.

QUOTES & NOTES
"I was very impressed with the team's energy and desire to compete today against a team that made the sweet 16 last year. We know Towson is good and has a lot of athletic players. In addition, Don does a great job with that program. Our ability to compete with them and frustrate them was definitely a good sign. We have to know where our ceiling is as a team, and make sure we match the energy and desire we saw today everyday."

"Lot of good efforts today. Keegan was so good in the first set, and Ryley came out firing to get us a huge lead. Molly R., Carley, and Brynn did a good job slowing down a really powerful attack. It was great to see all of the freshmen come in and compete well against that kind of lineup. We need to build from here and not take any steps back." - Head Coach Jeff Rotondo

- Towson extends its lead in the all-time series to 18-8.
- Frye finished with 15 assists.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit -.011 in the match, to Towson's .212.
- Rider had just 22 kills to just 31 for the Tigers.
- Towson had 12 aces, while the Broncs had seven.
- Rider held a 37-35 edge in digs.
- Molly Strah (Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) led Rider with eight digs. Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) and Frye both had seven.
- Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls) led Rider with six kills, Molly Rhode (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) added five, and Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) and Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) each had three.

UP NEXT
Rider returns home for the home opener Wednesday against Rutgers at 7 p.m.