FAIRFIELD, CT – The Rider University volleyball team was defeated in four sets Sunday, falling 25-14, 25-27, 25-22, 25-20 at Fairfield. The Broncs fall to 7-14 on the season, and 6-3 in MAAC matches, while the Stags improve to 11-9 overall and 9-0 in league matches.
 
With Rider holding a 5-4 lead in the first, Fairfield scored 10-straight points tad would maintain control to take the set.
 
Rider jumped out to a 4-2 lead in set two, but the Stags has an answer with a 6-0 run. The Broncs would not allow the set to get away, slowly getting back into the set, tying the second at 14-14. Down 23-19, Rider scored five-straight points, including a pair of kills from both Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) and Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston). The Stags would fight off a pair of set points, tying the set at 25-25, but Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls) had a kill, then a block to give the Broncs the set and even the match.
 
Already leading 5-3 in the third, the Broncs scored five-straight points with two kills each from Johnson and Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville). Immediately the Stags responded, scoring six-straight points. With Rider holding a 22-21 edge, the Stags closed out the set with four-straight points to pull ahead in the match.
 
Fairfield made their move early in set four. Leading 6-5, the Stags scored six-straight points. Down 14-7, the Broncs made a run, scoring five-straight points during the serve of Rohde. The Broncs would get to within one at 16-15, but could find a way to tie the set as the Stags closed out the match.
                                                                                               
QUOTES & NOTES
"Going to call this a weekend of missed opportunities. Set one, we were not very good, came out low energy and it showed in our execution. We switched some things up with Delaney running the offense a little bit, and thought she handled the situation well, and Brynn had a good day. I'd like her to be more low error, but she stayed aggressive."
 
"We did give up some opportunities similar to last night's match. Up 10-3 in the third set and could not hold that lead with some sloppy play. Our inability to close sets when we have leads cost us this weekend and has to get solved." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Fairfield's lead in the all-time series moves to 45-5.
- Johnson led the Broncs with a career-high 16 kills, her fourth match in double figures this season.
- Giehtbrock recorded her fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 kills and 10 digs.
- Santiago added 14 kills to reach double figures for the
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) reached double-digit digs for the 12^th time this season, finishing with a team-high 11.
- Delaney Hughes (San Clemente, CA/JSerra Catholic) had a season-high 29 assists to reach double digits for the third time this season.
 
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Fairfield outhit Rider .270 to .189.
- The Stags had 61 kills to 52 for the Broncs.
- Fairfield out dug Rider 68-54.
- The Broncs had nine blocks in the match to six for Fairfield.
- Rohde had six blocks in the match.

UP NEXT
The Broncs return home to face Temple Wednesday night at 7 p.m.