NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY - The Rider University volleyball team bounced back to defeat Niagara in four sets Saturday evening, 22-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22. The Broncs improve to 8-11 on the season and 6-3 in conference play, while the Purple Eagles drop to 7-10 overall and 7-2 in league matches.
 
Already leading 10-8 in the opening set, the Purple Eagles extended the lead with a 6-2 run. Down 21-16, the Broncs got kills from Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) and  Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) to spark a 3-0 run, but the teams would then trade points for the remainder of the set with Niagara taking the victory.
 
Already leading 6-4 in the second, the Broncs extended the lead with 3-0 run, getting a kill, an assist, and an ace from Santiago. The Broncs maintained the lead, until leading 20-15, Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) got a block then a kill to start a 3-0 run and the Broncs converted both of their remaining side out opportunities to win the set and even the match.
 
Down 1-0 in the third, the Broncs went on a 6-1 run, led by three kills and a block from Santiago. Up 12-9, Rider pulled away with another 6-1 run, highlighted by an ace from Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan). With Rider up 19-11, the Purple Eagles scored four-straight points and Niagara would get to within two at 24-22, but a kill from Rohde would give the Broncs the two sets to one lead.
 
Trailing 3-2 in the fourth, the Broncs got back-to-back-to-back kills from Santiago. Later in the set, leading 9-8, Rider began to pull away with a 5-1 run, including an ace from Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West). After Niagara closed to within two at 20-18, Robinson got a kill and two blocks to extend the lead to five once again. At 24-19, the Purple Eagles staved off three match points, but the Broncs would score to secure the match.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"As much as I was disappointed in our effort last night, I was really proud of our recovery today. Energy, passion, and focus were all top level, so I'm happy to see we mentally re-engaged with a gritty performance. A lot of people had good matches with Kianny leading the way. Carley and Rohdereally established the middle well and Rylah bounced back phenomenally. Makenna ran the offense well with 51 assists and we had four players give us double digit digs. This makes for a much better eight-hour bus ride back home." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Rider trims Niagara's lead in the all-time series to 25-22.
- Santiago led all players with 21 kills, reaching double figures for the 12^th time this season and 45^th time in her career. She added 16 digs for her third double-double of the season and ninth of her career.
- Robinson added 15 kills, reaching double digits for the sixth time this season and 17^th time in her career.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) had 51 assists for her 17^th match this season and 63^rd match in her career with double digits. She added 12 digs for her seventh career double-double.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) led Rider with 20 digs to reach double figures for the 17^th time this season and 67^th time in her career.
- Carly Allen (Buffalo, NY/Sacred Heart Academy) added a career-high 14 digs to reach double figures for the first time in her freshman season.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .262 in the match, while the Purple Eagles hit .201 as a team.
- Rider had 60 kills to 55 for Niagara.
- The Broncs had 80 digs to 76 for the Purple Eagles.
- Rider held an edge of 5-3 in aces and 8-7 in blocks.

UP NEXT
The Broncs are back home Tuesday for a 6 p.m. match against Hofstra.