HAMDEN, CT– The Rider University volleyball team was defeated Saturday afternoon at Quinnipiac, falling 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 25-21. The Broncs drop to 1-12 on the season, while the Bobcats improve to 4-9 in the MAAC opener for both teams.
 
Rider came out strong, building a 4-1 lead in the opening set, but leading 5-2, the Bobcats went on a 6-0 run taking the advantage in the set. Trailing 15-9, Paige Giehtbrock (Clarkston, MI/Clarkston) had back-to-back kills to start, then Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) had back-to-back blocks to cap a 5-1 run, trimming the deficit to 16-14, but the Broncs would get no closer.
 
Trailing 17-14 in set two, Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) had two aces during a 7-0 run as the Broncs took the lead in the set. With Rider leading 24-21, the Bobcats staved off three set points to even the set at 24-24, but Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls) came up with a block and a kill to give Rider the set.
 
 
Down 9-7 in set three, Rider got four straight points including an ace on the serve of Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale). Leading 17-15, the Broncs saw Quinnipiac make their run, starting with a 5-0 run that gave the Bobcats a lead they would not relinquish in the set.
 
With Rider holding a 12-9 edge in the fourth, the Bobcats took the lead with a 4-0 run, then moments later with the score tied 14-14, Quinnipiac pulled away with a 6-0 rally and the Broncs would never get to within three points for the remainder of the match.
                                                                                               
QUOTES & NOTES
- Quinnipiac leads the all-time series 15-14.
- Frye finished with her second double-double of the season, totaling 20 assists and 11 digs.
- Johnson led the Broncs with 13 kills, her second match this season in double figures.
- Giehtbrock added 10 kills, reaching double figures for the fourth time this season.
- O'Connor led the Broncs with 17 digs in the match, her fifth match in double figures this season.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Quinnipiac outhit Rider .201 to .119.
- The Bobcats had 61 kills to 41 for the Broncs.
- Quinnipiac out dug Rider 61-54.
- Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) added seven kills and Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) and Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) each had seven digs for the Broncs..

UP NEXT
The Broncs continue conference play Sunday with a trip to Merrimack for the first time as a MAAC opponent for a 12 p.m. match.