BLACKSBURG, VA– The Rider University volleyball team was defeated at Virginia Tech Friday night, falling in four sets 25-23, 26-24, 21-25, 25-18. The Broncs drop to 1-10 on the season, while the Hokies improve to 6-4.
 
Midway through set one, the Broncs made their first major run of the day. Trailing 8-7, Rider won five-straight points capped by an ace from Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan). The Broncs would extend the lead to as large as 19-13, but the Hokies responded with an 8-2 run to even the set 21-21. The Hokies would later end the set on a 4-1 run to control the match early.
 
Set two was tight throughout, featuring 17 ties and no team leading by more than two points in the set. The Broncs did earn their first set point of the match when Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) recorded an ace to break a 23-23 tie, but Virginia Tech would score three-straight points to take the set.
 
In the third, the Hokies would jump out to a 3-0 lead and maintain the advantage for most of the set. Down 16-14, the Broncs would make their run. A kill by Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) gave the Broncs a side out before Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) recorded a kill to tie the set 16-16. Following a Hokie attack error, Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) delivered an ace, and Santiago recorded another kill to cap the rally putting Rider up 19-16, a lead the Broncs would not relinquish.
 
As was the case all night, set four was tight early. Tied 16-16, the Hokies finally pulled away with a 7-0 run that would give the Hokies the set and the match.
                                                                                               
QUOTES & NOTES
- Tonight was the first ever meeting between the Broncs and Hokies.
- Santiago recorded her fourth double-double of the season, leading the Broncs with 16 kills and adding 11 digs.
- Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls) added 11 kills, reaching double figures for the first time this season.
- Keagan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) led all players with 15 digs in the match, her third match in double figures this season.
- Mason controlled the flow of the Rider offense with 26 assists, her tenth match with double digits this season.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Virginia Tech outhit Rider .123 to .120.
- The Broncs had 47 kills to 43 for the Hokies.
- Rider out dug Virginia Tech 54-48.
- The Hokies had 16 blocks to 11 for the Broncs.
- Robinson added nine kills for Rider and Langford finished with seven digs.

UP NEXT
The Broncs get their final non-conference tune up of the season with a trip to Lehigh Wednesday. First serve is at 7 p.m.