LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ– The Rider University volleyball team won its sixth-straight match Sunday afternoon, topping Siena in straight sets 25-18, 26-24, 25-18. The Broncs improve to 7-12 on the season, and 6-1 in MAAC matches, while the Saints fall to 4-14 overall and 3-4 in league matches.
 
It was Siena that came out of the gate hot, scoring the match's first four points and building a 5-1 lead, but the Broncs responded in a big way. Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) had three kills and Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) had a pair of aces during an 8-0 that flipped the opening set as Rider would not trail again in the set. The Saints would remain within striking distance until leading 20-17, the Broncs closed out the set with a 5-1 run capped by back-to-back aces from Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale[UTEP]).
 
Down 3-2 early in set two, the Saints went on a 5-1 run to take a 7-4 advantage. Trailing 8-5, the Broncs countered with a 4-0 run, including another ace from Frye. Tied 21-21 late in the set, Rohde went on serve for a 3-0 run, getting an ace to give Rider three set points at 24-21. Siena would not go away quietly fighting off all three set points to tie it 24-24. The Broncs would regroup and score two-straight points to secure the set and enter the break up 2-0.
 
Rider was in control from the start of set three, going up 4-0 on back-to-back-to-back aces by Frye, and later extending the lead to 7-1. Down 16-10, Siena climbed back into the match with a 5-0 run, trimming the lead to just one. Leading 19-18, Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) took over down the stretch with four kills and a block as Rider closed out the match with a 6-0 run.
                                                                                               
QUOTES & NOTES
"Siena is coming in winning their last two and we knew their offense was going to be something we had to deal with. They have good hitters at both pins, but we thought we had some advantages on the offense as well. We served and passed really well today, which was one of our struggles yesterday, so I thought they really turned that around for us again today."
 
"We've had a good amount of leads this year, and we've let some of them go. I want to see people decide that I'm the one that gets that point for us, a little more desire in those moments, and if we have that, I think we'll execute." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"We just keep working every single day and stay hot. We're staying positive, having lots of energy, and working super hard to keep this winning streak alive. Kianny had some really great swings today that just helped us keep momentum. We try to take it one point at a time." – Sophomore Middle Hitter Molly Rohde
 
- Siena's lead in the all-time series is trimmed to 30-19.
- Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) lead the Broncs with 12 kills in the match on .429 hitting, reaching double-digits for the fifth time this season.
- Giehtbrock and Santiago each finished with 11 kills to reach double figures for the ninth and 10^th time this season, respectively.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) reached double-digit digs for the 10^th time this season, finishing with a team-high 10.
- Frye had 18 assists to lead the Broncs and reach double digits for the 14^th time this year. Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) added 12, her 17^th time reaching double figures this year.
- Frye's eight aces in the match are tied for the most by any player in the nation in a three-set match this season.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Siena outhit Rider .309 to .291.
- The Broncs had 46 kills to 40 for the Saints.
- Siena out dug Rider 42-37.
- The Broncs had 13 aces in the match to just one for Siena.

UP NEXT
The Broncs hit the road for a match Saturday at Sacred Heart. First serve is set for 1 p.m.