BUFFALO, NY – The Rider University volleyball team was defeated in five sets Friday night at Canisius 25-16, 25-21, 19-25, 22-25, 15-11. The Broncs fall to 7-11 on the season and 5-3 in conference play, while the Golden Griffins improve to 7-11 overall and 5-3 in league matches.
 
With Canisius up 13-12 in the opening set, Canisius extended the lead with a 4-0 run, then up 21-16, the Golden Griffins closed out the set with another 4-0 run.
 
In the second, the Broncs jumped out to a 7-2 lead with six different Broncs recording kills. Canisius had an immediate response with an 11-3 rally, taking the lead of the second set. After the Broncs tied the set 17-17, the Golden Griffins went on a 5-1 run and would not trail again in the set.
 
The Broncs responded in the third, opening up a 9-1 lead, getting two kills and a block from Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) on the run. Up 18-11, Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) had back-to-back blocks before another point put Rider ahead 21-11. The Golden Griffins got back in the set with an 8-3 run, but the Broncs were able to close out the set.
 
Trailing 5-4 in the fourth, the Broncs went on 5-1 run to go ahead. Rider would slowly build the lead to 18-12, then later 23-17. Canisius would get back to within two at 24-22, but an Erynn Gotsch (DeLand, FL/DeLand) kill would force a winner-take-all fifth set.
 
After the Broncs scored the first two points of the final set, Canisius took control with a 6-1 run. The Broncs closed to within one at 6-5, but the Golden Griffins countered with another 5-1 run and the Broncs were unable to recover. Rider was down 13-8 when the Broncs were able to get three-straight points, but that was as close as Rider would get.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"Some of the worst volleyball we have played this season. We had no energy, discipline, or communication, and we played not to lose. Now we will be fighting the rest of the way for playoffs and positioning. It's an unfortunate way to start the weekend, but hopefully after getting punched in the face, we are finally able to start executing better." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Canisius extends its lead in the all-time series to 34-17.
- Santiago led Rider with 16 kills, reaching double figures for the 11^th time this season and 44^th time in her career.
- Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) had 13 kills on .500 hitting, reaching double figures for the fifth time this season and 14^th time in her career.
- Gotsch finished with 10 kills to reach double digits for the fifth time in her freshman season.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) had 33 assists for her 16^th match this season and 62^nd match in her career with double digits.
- Grace Borys (De Pere, WI/Notre Dame Academy) added 12 assists to reach double figures for the third time as a freshman.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) led Rider with 14 digs to reach double figures for the 16^th time this season and 66^th time in her career.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .225 in the match, while the Golden Griffins hit .266 as a team.
- Canisius had 58 kills to 57 for Rider.
- Both teams had 52 digs and nine blocks.
- Canisius held an edge of 10-4 in aces.

UP NEXT
The Broncs are back in action Saturday at Niagara. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.