NORTH ANDOVER, MA– The Rider University volleyball team won in straight sets Sunday afternoon, defeating Merrimack 25-15, 25-11, 25-21. The Broncs improve to 2-12 on the season, while the Warriors drop to 2-11 as both teams even their MAAC records at 1-1.
 
Leading 10-8 in the opening set, the Broncs began to build a lead with Ryley Frye (New Hope, MN/Robbinsdale) getting an ace as part of a four-point serving run, and the Broncs never looked back cruising to the first set victory.
 
Rider carried the momentum into the second set. Up 5-3, Rider pushed the advantage with seven-straight points started by back-to-back kills by Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson), and capped by an ace from Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) and the set would never be any closer than nine points.
 
The third set was tight throughout featuring 13 ties. Following the final tie of the match at 21-21, Anja Kelly (Naperville, IL/Neuqua Valley) had two kills during a 4-0 run that saw the Broncs close out the decisive set.
                                                                                               
QUOTES & NOTES
- Rider leads the all-time series 2-0.
- Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) had her fifth double-double of the season, leading the Broncs with 11 kills and 11 digs.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) match Santiago with 11 digs in the match, her sixth match in double figures this season.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) had a team-high 14 assists, her 12^th time reaching double figures this year.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Rider outhit Merrimack .305 to .093.
- The Broncs had 37 kills to 29 for the Warriors.
- Rider out dug Merrimack 48-39.
- The Broncs had 10 blocks in the match to just two for the Warriors

UP NEXT
The Broncs are on the road Wednesday to take on Saint Peter's at 7 p.m.