LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ– The Rider University volleyball team won its third-straight match Saturday afternoon, defeating Canisius 25-10, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21. The Broncs improve to 4-12 on the season, and 3-1 in MAAC matches, while the Golden Griffins drop to 6-9 overall and 2-2 in league matches.
 
The Broncs took control of the match early. Leading 6-5 in the opening set, Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) had a pair of kills and Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) added a pair of aces as Rider went on a 7-0 run. Later leading 18-9, Rider closed out the opening set with a 7-1 run, capped by back-to-back kills from Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls).
 
The Golden Griffins responded in the second. Leading 4-3, Canisius scored five-straight points and maintained control throughout the set. After earning set point at 24-18, Rider fought back with four-straight points helped by two Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) kills, but Canisius would eventually even the match.
 
Rider came out of the locker room focused. After Canisius earned the first point of the third set, Rider went on a 7-0 run that featured four-straight kills by Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)). The Golden Griffins would not go away quietly, countering with a 6-1 run to pull back to within one. Leading 12-10, Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) served five-straight points for the Broncs as Rider took control of the set.
 
The Broncs appeared ready to pull away in the fourth, opening the set on a 5-0 run, including a Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale) ace. The Golden Griffins would answer with a 4-0 run that would tie the set 6-6 moments later. Another 4-0 Canisius run, would give the Golden Griffins an 11-8 lead. Down 14-10, Rider countered with a 4-0 run of its own as Frye returned to the service line. Tied 17-17, the Broncs closed the match strong, with a Frye putting a fitting final touch on the match with her fourth ace of the day for the final point.
                                                                                               
QUOTES & NOTES
"I thought we did a good job of executing the game plan and what we scouted and all the things we talked about in our meeting today. The execution was really good with getting the serve to the right people, making sure we're attacking the right parts of the block, and defending in the positions we want to be in."
 
"Our ability to serve and get them off the net with their setter a little bit made them a little more predictable." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"We've been waiting [to play in Alumni Gym] all season. Every one of us, including the coaching staff, was excited to play at home. Our offense was really good, our setters were running the offense amazing, and our defenders were picking up everything." – Junior Outside Hitter Kiannisha Santiago
 
- Rider trims the Canisius lead in the all-time series to 33-17.
- Giehtbrock led the Broncs with 19 kills and 15 digs, securing her second double-double of the season.
- Frye added her third double-double of the year with a team-high 33 assists and 12 digs.
- Santiago finished with 16 kills on .424 hitting, reaching double figures for the seventh time this season.
- Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) hit .467 with 10 kills, finishing with double digit kills for the first time this season.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) had 13 assists, her 14^th time reaching double figures this year.
- O'Connor finished with 12 digs and Langford had 10, the seventh and fifth time reaching double digits this season, respectively.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Rider outhit Canisius .308 to .148.
- The Broncs had 60 kills to 37 for the Golden Griffins.
- Rider out dug Canisius 71-46.
- Rohde led the Rider defense with five blocks in the match.

UP NEXT
The Broncs are right back in action in Alumni Gym Sunday at 1 p.m. when Rider welcomes Niagara.