LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ– The Rider University volleyball team returned to MAAC play Saturday afternoon and delivered a three-set victory over Iona, winning 25-21, 25-14, 25-16. The Broncs improve to 8-15 on the season and 7-3 in MAAC play, while the Gaels fall to 6-17 on the year, including a 4-6 mark in league matches.
 
The first set was tight throughout, featuring 15 ties including the final one of the set at 21-21. The Broncs took control down the stretch of the first, scoring four-straight points on the serve of Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong[UTEP]) to earn the first-set victory.
 
Tied 8-8 in set two, the Broncs took control with a 9-0 run, featuring four kills by Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) and two aces from Frye, and the Broncs cruised the rest of the set to go ahead 2-0 in the match.
 
The Gaels jumped out to a 4-1 lead in set two, but the Broncs kept their composure, quickly tying the set at 6-6. Leading 12-10, the Broncs used a 7-0 run to take complete control of the match with Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) getting a pair of kills and Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) adding a kill and an ace during the rally, and the Broncs would easily take the final set of the match.

QUOTES & NOTES
"This morning there was some joking around a little bit so it felt like we were going into the match a little bit light, which is fine. When things were a little bit close, we reminded them to trust what we talked about in the scout, getting back to playing a little bit more free and try to find a way to put pressure on their defense."
 
"We did a really good job on the front end of getting some control touches, getting some blocks early. Our ability to slow them down early made them change their game plan a little bit, but it was the combination of the front and the back that made it a really good job overall."  – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"We had a little bit of a stumble for a few games, but we're starting to get some of our energy back, and we're trying to figure some things out. We talk about being able to close out a lot in practice, and once you get that first set, it' really nice the rest of the match, you're more comfortable." – Senior Setter Ryley Frye
 
- Rider cuts Iona's lead in the all-time series to 30-20.
- Santiago led the Broncs with 11 kills, reaching double figures for the 12^th time this season.
- Giehtbrock finished with 10 kills to reach double digits for the 13^th match this season, and ninth-straight.
- Frye recorded her fifth double-double of the season, recording 23 assists and a team-high 10 digs.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) added 12 assists to reach double figures for the 20^th times this season.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) tied Frye for the team high with 10 digs to reach double digits for the 14^th time this year.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .260 in the match, while the Gaels hit .051.
- Rider had 42 kills in the match to 23 for Iona.
- The Broncs had a 47-38 edge in digs.
- Rider had an 8-6 edge in blocks, and a 6-4 advantage in aces.
- Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) hit .500 with eight kills in the match.
- Rohde hit .545 with seven kills, while adding six blocks.

UP NEXT
The Broncs return to action Sunday, hosting Manhattan at 1 p.m.