FAIRFIELD, CT – The Rider University volleyball team saw its six-match winning streak come to an end Saturday night, falling in four sets 31-29, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22. The Broncs fall to 7-13 on the season, and 6-2 in MAAC matches, while the Pioneers improve to 8-12 overall and 4-4 in league matches.
 
Trailing 10-7 in the opening set, the Broncs got a kill from Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson), then three-straight combo blocks by Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) and Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) gave Rider the lead at 11-10. Leading 23-19, Sacred Heart scored four-straight points to even the set. Both sides would fight of multiple set points before the Pioneers closed out the set with a 4-1 run to win 31-29.
 
Leading 7-6 in set two, Rider pulled away with a 6-1 run, getting three kills from Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) to build the lead. Trailing 20-14, Sacred Heart went on a 5-1 run to attempt to close the gap, but a kill and block from Giehtbrock ended the Sacred Heart rally and the Broncs would close out the set points later.
 
Down 6-2 in the third, the Broncs got two aces from Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) to take the lead in the set. Tied 9-9, it was 5-0 run during the serve of Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) that had the Broncs in control, but Sacred Heart slowly clawed back, tying the set 18-18. Rider would go ahead 23-20, but the Pioneers would again find a way, scoring the final five points of the set to take a two set to one lead.
 
Tied 12-12 in the fourth, Sacred Heart made the decisive run in the match, scoring nine-straight points. Down 23-16, two kills and two block by McAleavey started a 5-0 run that brought the Broncs to within two at 23-21, but the Broncs would get no closer.
                                                                                               
QUOTES & NOTES
"We ran into a team that just wanted it more than we did tonight. Disappointed in our inability to close sets when we had leads tonight, 21-18 in set one and 23-20 in set 3. This has happened way too many times this year, so I need to do a better job of preparing us to win in tight sets with a late lead. We were also not able to stop Cam, who basically beat us single handedly. Credit to Sacred Heart, as they came in wanting to win more and they made sure she got the ball enough to win the match. Again, I need to train my team better so that one player cannot control the match." - Head Coach Jeff Rotondo

- Rider's lead in the all time series is trimmed to 6-3
- Giehtbrock led the Broncs with 12 kills to reach double figures for the 10^th time this season.
- O'Connor reached double-digit digs for the 11^th time this season, finishing with a team-high 14.
- Mason and Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale[UTEP]) each had 20 assists to reach double figures for the 18^th and 15^th time this season, respectively.
 
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Sacred Heart outhit Rider .241 to .232.
- The Pioneers had 73 kills to 52 for the Broncs.
- Sacred Heart out dug Rider 63-46.
- The Broncs had 14 blocks in the match to six for Sacred Heart.

UP NEXT
The Broncs remain on the road to take on Fairfield Sunday at 1 p.m.