LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University volleyball team saw its four-match winning streak come to a close Saturday afternoon, falling to Fairfield, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-14. The Broncs fall to 6-9 on the season and 4-1 in conference play, while the Stags improve to 11-4 overall and remain unbeaten at 5-0 in league matches.
 
Already leading 6-5 in the opening set, Rider expanded the lead with a 5-0 run, including an ace from Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford). The Broncs would continue their strong play, extending the lead to 18-11. Fairfield made a run with four-straight points, but the Broncs immediately countered with three-straight to maintain the advantage, but Fairfield again went on a run, scoring five-straight points to pull within one at 21-20. Following a side out, the Broncs got a kill from Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)), then an ace from Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) helped the Broncs secure the first-set victory.
 
The Broncs looked strong early in set two, going out to a 10-7 lead, but the Stags fired back with a 5-0 run to take the lead. After Rider retook the lead 19-18, it was another 5-0 Stag run that gave Fairfield a lead it would not relinquish.
 
With Rider holding an 8-7 lead in set three, the Stags made the first run of the frame, scoring four-straight. With Fairfield ahead 14-10, Rider countered with a 5-0 run, getting an ace from Santiago during the run. Tied 19-19, Fairfield used a 4-1 run to take what would be the decisive lead in the set, going ahead 2-1 in the match.
 
Rider would take a 7-6 lead in the fourth, but it was all Fairfield after that, as the Stags went on a 6-0 run that was later extended to 10-1, and the Broncs would never recover.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"To a certain extent, our offense was doing a pretty good job when we were in rhythm. After the first set, they won the serve pass battle pretty significantly and it took us out of rhythm. In set three we had three service errors and got aced at 20-19, and you're not going to win a set like that. We have to be better at this sort of pass game and finishing the set when we have the opportunity." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"Everything that was effective today, Makenna was keeping every set on tempo, which allowed me to see the holes and the paths were right there. We just need to communicate better, whether in time outs or in the locker room and talk everyone up throughout the set." – Senior Opposite Kiannisha Santiago
 
- Fairfield extends its lead in the all-time series to 47-5.
- Santiago led all players in the match with 18 kills, reaching double figures for the ninth time this season and 42^nd time in her career. She added 17 digs for her eighth career double-double and second of the season.
- Erynn Gotsch (DeLand, FL/DeLand) finished with 10 kills, reaching double figures for the fourth time in her freshman season.
- Mason had 42 assists for her 13^th match this season and 59^th match in her career with double digits. She added 10 digs for her sixth career double-double.
- O'Connor added 14 digs to reach double figures for the 13^th time this season and 63^rd time in her career.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .199 in the match, while the Stags hit .227 as a team.
- Rider had 50 kills to 48 for Fairfield.
- Both teams finished with 56 digs.
- Fairfield held edges of 12-8 in aces and 12-6 in blocks.

UP NEXT
The Broncs are back in action Friday in Alumni Gym when the Broncs host Quinnipiac at 6 p.m.