RIVERDALE, NY - The Rider University volleyball team was defeated Saturday evening, falling at Manhattan, 25-21, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23. The Broncs drop to 9-13 on the year and 7-4 in MAAC play, while the Jaspers improve to 3-18 on the season and 1-10 in league matches.
 
After the Jaspers slowly built a 17-13 lead, the Broncs came back with three-straight points, capped by an ace from Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West). Manhattan immediately responded with four-straight points to help secure the opening set.
 
Rider appeared to get back on track in set two, jumping out to a 5-1 lead, led by an ace from Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford). With Rider up 20-13, the Jaspers fought back into the set with a 6-0 run to close within one. Then, with Rider holding a 22-19 lead, Manhattan took the lead with a 5-0 run and later closed out the set.
 
Rider built a 16-11 lead in set three when the Jaspers responded with a 4-0 run, but Rider immediately countered with an 8-1 run, capped by another McAleavey ace, and the Broncs later closed out the set to extend the match.
 
With Rider up 4-2 in set four, Manhattan scored seven-straight points to take the lead in the set. A 4-0 run from Rider with an ace from Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) tied the set at 11-11. Tied 17-17, Manhattan went on a 4-0 run. Rider countered with a 5-0 run, including an ace from Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) to take the lead, but Manhattan would close out the match scoring four of the next five points.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"We got humbled today, and it was bound to happen with how we're playing. We are 3-4 in our last seven conference matches and not playing clean. There is no way you will win a match with 32 attack errors, losing the serve and pass battle and watching balls hit the floor. We blew a 20-13 lead in set two with six straight hitting errors, then added two more at 22-22. We are not very good right now and playoffs is in jeopardy. Maybe this is the wake-up call we needed. In closing, congrats to Kianny who collected her 1,000th kill tonight, so that is certainly a bright spot on a not so great weekend for Rider volleyball.." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Manhattan's lead in the all-time series is extended to 32-25.
- Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) led Rider with 24 kills to reach double digits for the 14^th time this season and 47^th time in her career, including her 1,000^th career kill. She added 13 digs for her fourth double-double of the season and 10^th of her career
- Erynn Gotsch (DeLand, FL/DeLand) added 14 kills, to finish with double digit kills for the seventh time in her freshman season.
- Mason had 49 assists for her 20^th match this season and 66^th match in her career with double digits.
- O'Connor added 110 digs to secure double figures for the 19^th time this season and 69^th time in her career.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .201 in the match, while the Jaspers hit .250 as a team.
- Rider had 62 kills to 43 for Manhattan.
- The Broncs had 55 digs to 49 for the Jaspers.
- Manhattan held an edge of 16-5 in blocks and both sides had 10 aces.

UP NEXT
The Broncs are back in action Tuesday visiting Saint Peter's for a 6 p.m. match.