LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ– The Rider University volleyball team won its fifth-straight match Saturday afternoon, defeating Marist 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 25-17. The Broncs improve to 6-12 on the season, and 5-1 in MAAC matches, while the Red Foxes fall to 1-15 overall and 1-5 in league matches.
Rider came out of the gates swinging, jumping out to a 7-4 lead in set one before the Broncs scored three-straight points, capped by a
Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) ace to extend the advantage. The Red Foxes would chip away at the lead, getting to within one at 21-20, but
Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) took over, getting a kill followed by back-to-back aces before a kill by
Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls) secured the opening set.
Marist fought back early in set two. Leading 11-10, Marist scored five-straight points, and eventually led 22-16. The Broncs then came to life going on a 7-1 run, including three kills by
Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) to even the set at 23-23. The Red Foxes would get a set point at 24-23, but the Broncs fought it off and scored another point to earn their first set point of the second at 25-24. Marist fought off a trio of set points before earning another of their own at 28-27. After the Broncs earned a side out, Johnson recorded a kill to put Rider up 29-28 and
Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) closed out the set with an ace.
The third set went back and forth with 17 ties. The final tie came with a Marist side out evening the set at 23-23. The Red Foxes then scored two-straight points to extend the match to a fourth set.
The Broncs came out hungry in set four. Down 1-0, Rider scored five-straight points to take early control of the set. The Broncs maintained the lead, but could not pull away until leading 20-17,
Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) served out the set, to give Rider the match victory.
QUOTES & NOTES
"Marist came in, they played really well. Number 20 had a really, really good day against us. It was tough to try and find a way to slow down nine as well. I thought they did a better job than us today in serve and pass, but we were able to find a way to overcome that by playing clean and other facets, not trying to make a lot of hitting errors and making sure that we're trying to set the right people and get some one on ones going."
"We're finding ways to win, whereas I think beginning of the year, we were finding some ways to lose a little bit. I think we're turning that corner mentally, and that has been huge. There were some times in the beginning of the year that we'd have leads and we wouldn't find a way to close. We're actually finding ways to close now which is good. The early season schedule has prepared us to be in these situations and find a way to win."
– Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
"You're more comfortable when you're on your home court. It feels good to have a week of practices knowing, this is where I'll be serving, this is where I'll be swinging. It feels good to have our fans here, the energy is very good."
– Senior Setter Ryley Frye
- Rider cuts Marist's lead in the all-time series to 34-23.
- Giehtbrock led the Broncs with 17 kills and added 10 digs, securing her fourth double-double of the season.
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Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale[UTEP]) recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 24 assists and 11 digs.
- Santiago finished with 14 kills, reaching double figures for the ninth time this season.
- O'Connor reached double-digit digs for the ninth time this season, finishing with a team-high 15.
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Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) led the Broncs 26 assists, her 16
th time reaching double figures this year.
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Rider outhit Marist .269 to .209.
- The Broncs had 63 kills to 51 for the Red Foxes.
- Marist out dug Rider 65-60.
- Santiago had nine blocks and Rohde added eight in the match.
UP NEXT
The Broncs wrap up the four-match homestand when they host Siena Sunday at 1 p.m.
