LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University volleyball team took a set from in-state rival Rutgers, but fell in four sets Wednesday night, 25-12, 25-27, 25-21, 25-15. The Broncs fall to 1-5 on the season, while the Scarlet Knights improve to 5-1.
 
Rutgers grabbed an early 8-3 lead in the opening set, and the Broncs struggled to remain in contact. Leading 13-8, the Scarlet Knights extended the lead with a 4-0 run and cruised to the opening-set victory.
 
The Broncs showed fight in set two. Tied 8-8, the Broncs pulled ahead with a 4-0 run, including an ace by Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong). The Scarlet Knights later responded with a 4-0 run that would tie the set 16-16. Tied 25-25, the Broncs got a side out, then Molly Rhode (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) delivered an emphatic kill to close out the set.
 
Down 12-9 in the third, Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) had an ace and Rohde was part of two combo blocks during a 5-0 run that put Rider back in front. This time, the Rutgers response was immediate, scoring six-straight points to go up 18-14, a lead the Scarlet Knights would not relinquish.
 
Rutgers controlled the fourth set. Leading 7-6, the Scarlet Knights pulled away with an 8-1 run that put away the decisive set.

QUOTES & NOTES
"It was a continuation of how we faced Towson, and Towson was a really good team. It tested us a bit, and I think that was something they remembered. We heard [Director of Athletics Don Harnum's] message yesterday about how he wants teams that are gritty, and getting that second set was great. We're going to have to live with our youth a little bit, but we had an opportunity to steal that third set as well."
 
"The environment was awesome, and our girls absolutely loved it. It really helps us keep our energy up, play well, and want to give them a show. When we are playing volleyball the right way, it's a really exciting sport and it was cool to show everybody here. Our goal is to be an aggressive team. I thought we blocked well, but we still have to defend a little better, and overall this is what we want to see." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Rutgers extends its lead in the all-time series to 16-5.
- Frye finished with a season-high 32 assists, her fifth match in double figures this season.
- Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) had 10 kills, her first match with double digits this season.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) had 12 digs, her fourth match in double figures this season.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .117 in the match, to Rutgers' .309.
- Rider had 40 kills in the match to 56 for the Scarlet Knights.
- Rider had a 6-5 advantage in aces.
- Rutgers held a 60-45 edge in digs.
- In addition to O'Connor's ten, Frye and Carly Zimmet (Purcellville, VA/Loudoun Valley) each added eight digs.
- Along with Santiago's 10, Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls) had seven kills. McAleavey, Rohde, and Jenna Amaro (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Archbishop McCarthy).

UP NEXT
The Broncs make the trip for their final in-season tournament of the year, the Delaware Invitational, beginning with a match Saturday against Villanova at 3 p.m.