LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University volleyball team was defeated Friday evening by Quinnipiac, 25-21, 25-23, 25-17. The Broncs fall to 6-10 on the season and 4-2 in conference play, while the Bobcats improve to 7-11 overall and 4-2 in league matches.
Trailing 7-6 in the first, the Broncs went on a 4-0 run, capped by an ace from
Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford). The Bobcats would immediately respond with a 10-0 run to take control of the set. Down 24-16, the Broncs made a 5-0 run, trimming the lead to 24-21, but the Bobcats would eventually close out the set.
After a back-and-forth start to the second set, the Bobcats found themselves up 15-11. The Broncs countered with a 5-0 run, including a kill and an ace from
Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)). The Bobcats went on a 4-0 run, before the Broncs slowly clawed back into the set, getting to within one at 23-22 and 24-23, but Quinnipiac maintained the advantage and took the set.
In the third, the Broncs jumped out to the early advantage going ahead 15-12, but a 7-0 Quinnipiac run, that was later extended to 13-2 closed out the match.
QUOTES & NOTES
"We came out a bit flat. We found a way to fight off the tough start and kind of come out with a lead in that first set, and then we just let them go on a run. In set two, we had some opportunities that we'd like to have back. Our ability to execute has to be better when it gets tight."
– Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
- Quinnipiac extends its lead in the all-time series to 17-14.
-
Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) had 20 assists for her 14
th match this season and 60
th match in her career with double digits.
- O'Connor led Rider with 19 digs to reach double figures for the 14
th time this season and 64
th time in her career.
- Santiago finished with 10 digs, reaching double figures for the fifth time this season and 13
th time in her career.
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit just .052 in the match, while the Bobcats hit .142 as a team.
- Rider had 27 kills to 37 for Quinnipiac.
- The Bobcats had 55 digs to 51 for the Broncs.
- Quinnipiac held an edge of 9-5 in aces, with Rider holding an 8-5 advantage in blocks.
- Santiago led Rider with nine kills in the match.
UP NEXT
The Broncs are back in action Saturday in Alumni Gym when the Broncs close out their five-match homestand against Merrimack at 2 p.m.
